Westmorland and Furness Council “got it wrong” when a new access for vehicles was created to the side of the war memorial gateway at Penrith’s Castle Park without listed building consent and planning permission having first been obtained, a meeting heard.
Council planning officer Mat Wilson told a meeting of the Eden local area planning committee in Voreda House on Wednesday that “contrary to advice” that had initially been provided, the creation of the new access — which had already been carried out does require planning permission.
He said the work was proposed to improve accessibility for maintenance vehicles, rather than them having to go through the war memorial’s narrow entranceway which had previously provided the only means of vehicle access to Castle Park.
Mr Wilson said having the new entrance also avoids conflict with pedestrians and cyclists.
“The work has been carried out in a sympathetic manner with the new gate matching the style and materials of the previously existing railings,” said Mr Wilson.
Mary Robinson (Ind, Alston and Fellside) said it was a “real concern” to her as a councillor to hear from Mr Wilson that wrong advice and wrong interpretation was given as it was damaging to the council’s image and to residents who pay their wages.
“We really do need to get our act and our house in order because it does not look good in the public’s eyes and I think that point needs to be made to officers right across the council. There are ways and means of going about things,” said Mrs Robinson.
She added: “If we can do some internal memos or whatever we need to do to actually say, ‘this is not acceptable’ and get our act sorted out.”
The meeting also heard there was some confusion over when the war memorial was actually given a Grade II listing.
A report to councillors said the listing was made on 17th November, 2023, but on Historic England’s website, it states it was first listed on 17th November, 2022. Both planning approval and listed building consent was given.
