PLANS for a Land Rover dealership in a South Lakeland village have been given the green light by the district council's planning committee.

The project at Crakeside Business Park in Greenodd is to see an existing workshop extended and 80 new vehicle spaces created, bringing the total at the site to 110.

A design and access statement submitted as part of the application said Jaguar Land Rover had 'identified key locations throughout the UK to provide their new identity' and offer 'modern premises better suited to the needs of customers'.

The site, which is to also be used as a service centre, is to replace the Land Rover dealership currently located around eight miles away, close to Torver. 

In a letter published online, Shamus Giles, lead officer for flood and development management at Cumbria County Council, said: "Taking into account the existing use of the site as a vehicle workshop with an access onto the A5092, it is apparent that the proposal does not materially change the established use. 

"I note from our accident database that there are no recorded injury accidents on the A5092 in the past five years close to the proposed junction. 

"The existing access arrangement, which remains unchanged, therefore has to be considered satisfactory for the proposal. 

"Whilst, on the face of it, there is a significant increase in the number of parking places, the vast majority of these are for display vehicles, demo or servicing. 

"I am satisfied that there will be no material impact on the existing junction onto the A5092 and the wider highway network."

Mr Giles also said he was satisfied the scheme would not increase surface water runoff rate or volume after taking into account the existing use of the site and the existing impermeable area, which is not going to be enlarged by the plans.

The project was approved by South Lakeland District Council subject to a number of conditions, including that the finished site is only open to the public between 8am and 6pm on weekdays, between 9am and 5pm on Saturdays and between 10am and 4pm on Sundays and bank holidays.