Two Penrith employment land schemes which could bring hundreds of well paid and full-time jobs to the town won support at the historic final meeting of Eden Council’s planning committee.
One would act as an extension to the town’s existing industrial sites — with the intention being to build it out in a similar manner to the existing Gilwilly and Eden Business Park — while it is proposed that the other, near Stoneybeck roundabout, will house the so-called Inspiring Eden enterprise hub.
However, both outline planning application proposals still require legal agreements to be passed, while the Rayner Rowen Developments Limited plan near Junction 41 will also need to be signed off by the Secretary of State.
Of the plan for land north of Eden Business Park, off Cowper Road, for M and E Partnership, a representative said they had an 85 per cent uptake for phase one of the development which proves there is demand for industrial provision in that location.
Penrith Town Council had objected to the application for the second phase of the commercial development north of Eden Business Park as councillors felt it was an extension too far.
But Shawn Fleet, Eden Council’s principal development management officer, said it was considered to be a “natural extension” of Penrith’s urban form.
Approval was granted in September 2021 for the first phase and, like that scheme, this application is for a mix of general industry provision, storage, distribution and commercial, business and service uses, the meeting was told
Debra Wicks (Con, Greystoke) said: “The only have got to look at the amount of land being set aside for employment up on Junction 44 to see that we are going to be left behind the curve unless we do something for Eden.
“We keep building houses, but we have got no employment for people.”
Mike Eyles (Lib Dem, Penrith) said: “There is very little well paid employment in Penrith. Most of it is part-time retail, and I welcome the opportunity for businesses to come here and offer full-time positions, especially for younger people to avoid the necessity for them to move away from Penrith, as I did when I was 16.
“To have a thriving community and a thriving town we need full-time, well paid, jobs in this town, and I hope that this will provide it.”
Regarding the outline planning permission being sought for an employment site near Stoneybeck roundabout, the proposal included provision for 11 buildings on site, two of which would be for the enterprise centre.
Mr Fleet explained that the site had already been granted outline approval, with a five-year consent which was still live for two or three months.
“It got stalled effectively because of COVID,” he said.
The applicants were now essentially seeking to extend that approval for another three years, said Mr Fleet.
Ali Ross (Green, Penrith), however, said this was a very hard proposal to accept. “At the very least there should be a commitment for a shared use cycleway and footpath provision between Penrith and the site,” she said.
