Approval was granted by Eden Council’s planning committee for up to 13 homes to be built at Low Hesket following a “knife-edge” vote.
Outline planning permission had been sought by R Fiddler for a proposed development on land south of Low Hesket village hall, which included three affordable homes, but there was strong local opposition to the plan, including from Hesket Parish Council.
The planning meeting was told that Low Hesket was one of Eden’s “key hubs” and as such was considered to be a sustainable location for housing within the district.
However, in January the application had been refused because it did not respect the linear form and character of Low Hesket.
In addition, it was noted by the committee that sufficient land had been allocated within the settlement for housing and the application would result in the loss of good agricultural land.
Objector Jim Budd said the proposed development still did not respect the historic character and linear form of the village.
He said residents also had highways safety concerns with regards to visibility and access to the site, the proposed footpath was too narrow, and that water run-off would increase flooding issues in Low Hesket.
Eden councillor David Ryland (Ind, Hesket), who had sat on the planning committee in January when the application was refused, said very little had changed since then.
Speaking on behalf of residents who had objected to the proposal he said it would create an extension of the village and would mean it was “one more field closer” to its sister hamlet of High Hesket and would bring them into visual view of one another.
However, Daniel Addis, acting as agent for the applicant, said Low Hesket was not entirely linear and urged the committee to grant it approval as a “windfall site”.
Debra Wicks (Con, Greystoke) proposed the application be approved, which was seconded by John Lynch (Con, Penrith).
After a tied vote, with four for and four against, planning committee chairman William Patterson (Ind Alliance, Warcop) used his casting vote to grant approval.
Earlier, outline approval for five homes next to Brackenridge, High Hesket, was refused on safety grounds.
