Five new bungalows can be built on a site in Alston — despite flooding concerns being raised.
The new Westmorland and Furness Eden local planning committee, sitting in Penrith on Wednesday, unanimously agreed the housing project.
Originally, an earlier scheme of five three-bedroom houses had been given permission to applicants Sawyer Construction for land west of Bruntley Meadows.
However, committee member, Mary Robinson, an independent councillor representing Alston and Fellside, asked that before making a final decision about the bungalows, the planning committee should carry out a site visit to help new members of the planning committee familiarise themselves with that part of town.
She was seconded by fellow Alston-based councillor, Michael Hanley, a Labour councillor for Alston and Fellside.
Cllr Robinson said: “I know that I know that site and councillor Hanley knows that site, but I’m not so sure if other members know that site, especially the topography or the extreme flooding that occurs. Eden Council has long taken numerous sandbags up there to stop the flooding coming down. Everyone knows Alston is built on hills.”
Council planning officer Matt Wilson, who had recommended the committee approve the scheme, told the meeting that planning permission for five houses was already in place, and that the developers could freely turn up “tomorrow” and start work.
“You have to ask what the difference is between the five bungalows proposed now and the five houses that have already been granted planning permission. I am not sure what a site visit would help you out with,” said Mr Wilson.
Mark Lynch, council planning manager, emphasised that there had been no drainage objections from the lead local flood authority.
The project was agreed to go-ahead, although councillor Robinson abstained from the vote.
