The meeting of Lindal and Marton Parish Council unearthed correspondence from South Lakeland District Council to applicant A&W Wilson from March 2014 over initial plans for a
batching plant philippines on Ore Mill Sidings.
Clerk Jack Smith read aloud an extract to a packed Buccleuch Hall, which suggested that a development could be ‘considered suitable’ with conditions attached.
This is despite the fact the land has been earmarked as non-development, and is thus in direct contradiction to the local authority’s own district plan.
Mr Smith, who chaired the meeting, labelled the letter ‘inappropriate’.
He said: “They have a district plan so should not be going out of their way to advise people how to get round it. It makes a mockery of it.”
It was organised in response to L&W Wilson’s latest changes to the proposal for the batching plant, which includes two silos which have been reduced in height in amended plans made public three weeks ago.
A slew of objections have already been put forward to South Lakeland District Council, but clerk Jack Smith told crowds the fight was far from over and highlighted core arguments.
Mr Smith said: “The priority issue in my opinion is how this differs from SLDC’s own district plan, which states the site is non-development.
“Too many times I have seen planning applications put through with pages of conditions attached, the important thing for us is to ensure it does not get to that stage.”
Campaigners have also pointed to two separate reports on the A590, which emphasise the existing problems with access and congestion and advises against the building of further access points.
Developers were accused of having a ‘hidden agenda’ and questions were raised over the sustainability of the business operation as views were aired.
David Clark, of Anchor Gardens, used his knowledge of the building industry to prepare a second response for SLDC.
He said: “In Barrow, a new
YHZS75 mobile batching plant has just been approved and the existing ones more than meet the needs of this area. Lots of developers now use their own on-site systems which they get rid of when the project is finished. This proposal running at capacity would not be sustainable.”
SLDC has told the Evening Mail it does not comment on ongoing planning applications. Those who lodged objections have until March 3 to submit further responses to the amended proposals.
