IN a majority decision, Windermere and Bowness Town Council raised no objection to road infrastructure plans that would enable a major development project in the Lakes.
In May, plans were submitted for highway infrastructure works to support development at land at Orrest Head Farm. This would prepare the network for the Windermere Gateway project, which will have to be submitted as its own application.
The Lake District Park Authority website states that Windermere Gateway would connect to the onward travel network and 'significantly contribute to the vibrancy of the town' by delivering affordable and local needs housing and employment opportunities.
The town council's planning subcommittee chair Christine Cook said: "We have an awful lot of second homes here and holiday lets. People cannot get staff, cannot retain staff - this could be a golden opportunity to put in affordable houses. We do want a large proportion to be affordable so it can help the people in Windermere who have nowhere to live. There is a way we could do it." s 
Cllr Cook said that the councillors are often told that there is nowhere to live.
Town councils do not have the power to decide applications, but they are a consultee when the planning authority is balancing the developer's statements and the guidelines against objections. Cllr Cook said: "We have a good relationship with the National Park Authority."
The council had a special full council meeting on Wednesday June 26 to discuss the application with public participation at the Marchesi Centre, which Cllr Cook described as 'lively.' The planning committee then decided to raise no objections.
Cllr Cook said that the public 'made some really good points' and that two of the developers were in attendance.
Talking about the project, she said: "Some people are surprised as if it's suddenly appeared but it's been in planning for three years now.
In response to whether the road infrastructure plans will cause disruption to one of the busiest routes in the Lake District, Cllr Cook said: "There most likely would be. I can't pretend there wouldn't.
"If this goes ahead it will take quite some time to do. Obviously there would be traffic management in place." However she said that the amount of disruption caused by construction cannot factor into the decision. "It isn't a reason to say no," she said. "If we want affordable housing we are all going to be inconvenienced."
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