PLANS to build dozens of homes in south Cumbria are set to be given the green light.

Members of South Lakeland local area planning committee for Westmorland and Furness Council are recommended to approve plans from Holbeck Homes to build 39 properties to the south of Hagg Lane in Cartmel.

According to planning documents, the proposed development would consist of six one-bedroom apartments, four two-bedroom semi detached houses, 12 three-bedroom properties and 17 four-bedroom houses.

The proposals include 14 affordable properties which represents 35 per cent of the proposed development. The affordable units will be the six one-bedroom apartments, four two-bedroom properties and four three-bedroom houses.

A design and access statement submitted by the developer says: “In developing this proposal, the design and consultant team have sought to deliver a high-quality and desirable living environment within this quaint area of Cartmel.

“The form and arrangement of space, buildings and routes have been developed on sound urban design principles with a view to creating a mix of starter and family homes within an attractive environment.”

The site consists of an area of agricultural land of approximately 2.18 hectares.

However, Cartmel and Allithwaite parish council have objected to the plans which they labelled ‘premature’ due to the ‘inadequacy’ of current infrastructure.

The parish council state: “Cartmel is a village of huge historic significance which has become an increasingly popular location for people to live, retire, invest and seek ownership of ‘second homes’.

“The village is also a hugely popular destination for day-trippers and overnight stays, including during Race Weekends.

“All of these pressures culminate in a village that is under huge and sustained pressures in terms of its housing stock, services, road and parking capacity and safety, drainage and sewerage capacity as well as residential amenity.”

Previously plans for the housing development were given the green light by the former South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) planning committee in 2017 subject to legal agreements. However, the scheme was then amended to lower the number of affordable homes as the scheme was not ‘financially viable’ with 14 affordable properties.

The SLDC planning committee then approved the revised application with eight affordable properties but a legal agreement could not be reached between the council and the developer, a report from the Planning Inspectorate states.

The developer then lodged an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate over the council failing to determine the application within the time period but this appeal was dismissed by a government inspector in June 2021.

This application will be considered by committee members on June 27 at the County Hall in Kendal.