PLANS to build homes for local people in the Lake District are recommended for refusal as they would cause ‘harm’ to the national park.

Members of the development control committee for the Lake District National Park Authority are recommended to refuse plans from Highthwaite Ltd to build two detached houses and a row of three terraced cottages on a site at High Green in Troutbeck.

According to planning documents, the proposed development would consist of five three-bedroom local occupancy homes which would help the community remain ‘vibrant and resilient’.

However a report prepared for the development control committee says the proposed development would remove the ‘identified buffer’ which preserves the rural character of Troutbeck in views from the A592.

The report states: “The loss of open space and undeveloped character would cause harm to the character and appearance of Troutbeck village with consequent harm to the significance of the Troutbeck Conservation Area and the English Lake District World Heritage Site.”

Previously plans for five four-bedroom local occupancy homes on the site were refused by the committee in September 2023 with a subsequent appeal being dismissed in December 2023.

An application for five three-bedroom occupancy homes was withdrawn by the applicant in November 2023 after they received feedback that more ‘radical change’ was required, planning documents state.

This planning application prompted a mixed response with 23 households objecting to the plans and 15 representations being received in support of the application, the LDNPA report states.

The Lakes Parish Council and Friends of the Lake District objected to the proposals with the parish council raising concerns over the ‘detrimental impact’ of the plans as well as the ‘affordability’ of the proposed homes.

The parish council state: “The council has determined that the harm resulting from the construction of the proposed houses outweighs any potential benefits. The proposed development poses intrinsic harm to the character and integrity of the location.”

“The houses proposed in the development are not deemed to be affordable for local residents, thereby exacerbating issues of housing affordability and accessibility in the area”, their response added.

Supporters of the application say the proposed houses represent ‘sustainable development’ and state it helps solve the ‘housing crisis’ in the area.

One supporter of the application commented: “I am familiar with this proposed project and believe it is an excellent development that meets all the relevant planning policy requirements.

“The local area is in desperate need of more housing that is accessible and for local residents as there are just so many holiday homes in the area.”

Members of the development control committee will discuss the proposals on December 4 at Murley Moss in Kendal.