A DEVELOPER has said he is ‘delighted’ plans for a series of changes to roads in Windermere ahead of a major development have been given the green light.

Members of the development control committee for the Lake District National Park Authority approved plans from Urban Splash Developments Limited for the construction of a raft of road improvements on the A591 and Thwaites Lane.

The plans pave the way for highways improvements including the creation of a new pedestrian route, enhanced cycle connections, and enhancements to the A591 and Thwaites Lane, with the works to now be taken forward by Westmorland and Furness Council.

Speaking after planning permission was granted, development manager at Urban Splash, Joe Woolley said: “We are delighted to have secured planning permission for this first phase of works – a phase that will not only bring highways improvements and cycle connections to the local area but will also enable us to move forward with proposals for the housing phases – something we’re currently working on plans for.

“Our thanks to all of the local people who engaged with us during the consultation and planning process, giving valuable feedback to help shape our vision, as well as our partners and the Council with whom we will work as they take this phase forward.”

The proposed works are required to accommodate the delivery of the Orrest Head Farm mixed-use allocation site in the local plan which is anticipated to deliver 250 homes.

The Orrest Head Farm site forms part of the Windermere Gateway Project which covers a wider area including Windermere Railway Station and the surrounding land.

Urban Splash was appointed as housing development partner in 2019, tasked with the transformation of the site with the support stakeholders including National Trust, Lake District National Park Authority, Westmorland and Furness Council, Windermere Town Council, Network Rail, Booths, Lakeland, and numerous other local businesses.

The applicant’s agent Andrew Johnston, director of Made it Together, told the committee the proposed infrastructure works are ‘essential’ for making the site accessible and available for future phases of development.

Mr Johnston added: “This application seeks to lay the framework for future development at Orrest Head Farm through crucial highway improvements which will support future housing and job creation on an allocated site in Windermere.”

The approved plans include work to enable the existing A591 road speed limit to be reduced to 30mph on approach to Windermere Gateway and then reduced to 20mph.

On Thwaites Lane a new four arm junction with an east-west pedestrian / cycleway route is proposed.

Plans also involve the creation of new junctions from the A591 and Thwaites Lane into the Orrest Head Farm site.

According to the report prepared for the committee, the proposals have received 36 objections which raised concerns over the impact the proposals could have on road safety.

However the report adds: “Given the information provided to support the application and the conclusions of the Local Highway Authority, I consider that the development would not have an unacceptable impact on highway safety or result in severe cumulative impacts on the road network, subject to recommended conditions.”

Members of the development control committee approved the plans on November 6 at Murley Moss.