Row over new homes for Ambleside
8:16am Tuesday 5th July 2011
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PLANS for 11 new houses for social rent in Ambleside on a site adjacent to Fisherbeck Park met strong opposition at a Lakes parish council plans meeting.
There were more than 60 people wishing to hear or speak in the 45 minute debate.
But the need for affordable housing was felt to outweigh objections and the majority of councillors voted for the application for the continued viability of the community.
This was the second time the parish has recommended approval of the development, after its first decision was rescinded to allow the views of the public to be expressed.
Residents from Fisherbeck Park listed a number of reasons why the site was unsuitable including extra traffic on the dangerous access from Old Lake Road, the risk of flooding and design of the
houses.
The scale of 11 houses was also too big and unsuitable for the site.
They also feared it would be the first stage of creeping development of the area.
Resident Ashley Cooper said the field was agricultural in continuous active use with wetland and boggy areas which supported a rich diversity of wildlife.
Animals in the field included roe deer, badgers, weasels, stoat and polecats with lapwings, marsh tit, skylarks and tree pippets as well as pipistrelle bats.
A proper environmental study should be done.
Arguments in favour of the development were led by former South Lakeland coun-cillor David Vatcher who urged the council to confirm its original approval.
He said the field was one of 17 spots identified for possible development and Fisherbeck Park already had more than 80 houses – 11 more would not make much difference.
More support came from young people born and raised in Ambleside but forced to move away by high rents and lack of housing.
Commuting into Ambleside was costly and wages low, families said.
Young people were being forced out by the arguments of older people.
Lyn Durschmidt, social housing campaigner from the group Ambleside Community Enterprise, urged people to pull together for social housing.
SLDC councillor Heidi Halliday said Ambleside had more than 1,000 properties which were either second homes or holiday lets.
Local people had been priced out of the market.
Coun Maureen Colquhoun said she no longer supported the development and to build houses on the site would be an act of vandalism.
Objectors should insist on a public inquiry if the plan was approved, Coun Anne Sowerbutts said there were more suitable sites.
Coun Ella Footit predicted the site would look appalling and was too small for 11 houses.
A majority of eight councillors voted to recommend approval of the development, with three against and one abstention.
Comments(1)
<!–hill_arious, LA22 0AU says… //–>
hill_arious, LA22 0AU says…
12:24pm Tue 5 Jul 11
Instead of using one of Amblesides glorious fields, why not build in the village centre – Browns old yard, tidying it up and giving locals what then need.
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