PLANS to build dozens of homes in a south Cumbria village have been given the green light.

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

Committee member councillor Rupert Audland said: “I think this is great, it’s the right size development in the right place which is unusual.”

The committee also delegated authority to planning officers to ‘finetune’ some conditions on the proposed development.

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 objected to the plans which they labelled ‘premature’ due to the ‘inadequacy’ of current infrastructure.

The parish council stated: “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.”

The application was approved subject to conditions by committee members on June 27 at the County Hall in Kendal.