13-06-2025
Firm could get planning permission for storage units
RETROSPECTIVE planning permission for 19 modular containers/buildings for storage at a Kendal business park could be granted next week despite objections from the town council.
Members of Westmorland & Furness Council's south Lakeland local area planning committee are due to meet on Thursday (June 19) at Kendal Town Hall to consider the matter.
The application is for a site at Kendal Fell Business Park, Boundary Bank Lane, and Lakeland Self Storage has also applied for planning permission for seven unit mounted lights.
The application is recommended for approval subject to conditions and the report states: 'The modular storage buildings measure 6m x 3m with a total height of 2.7m.
'The lighting proposal has been amended to remove the two columns and include the installation of 7 new unit mounted lights. The lights would have a maximum height of 2.7 metres compared to the previous 6m high proposal.'
According to the report the site comprises of a secure commercial compound located north of Underbarrow Road which is accessed via Boundary Bank Lane.
It states: 'The site lies on the western edge of the settlement of Kendal and is bound by the Underbarrow Road to the south, the wider business park to the north and east and the residential property of Foxdale to the west. There are also residential properties along Marble Crescent to the south on the opposite side of Underbarrow Road.'
However, Kendal Town Council has raised a material objection to the current application and, in its initial response, a spokesman said: 'The committee would require a larger number of lower lighting columns in order to comply with the Dark Skies Policy.
'Also, the committee notes residents' comments regarding potential noise from generators and would require further information on this.
'The committee disagrees with the argument for Biodiversity Net Gain exemption, as this application is current, and the fact that the development was built without planning permission is irrelevant in this case.
'Notwithstanding this opinion, should planning permission be given, then the committee would like to restrict hours of lighting as suggested in principle within the application, specifically from dusk to 11pm.
'In addition, the committee expresses disappointment in the retrospective nature of the application.'
In the final response, following amended details with a lowered lighting scheme and new planting proposal, the spokesman raised another material objection.
They said: 'The committee does not see a significant improvement from the previous iteration of this application and reiterates its earlier comments.
'In particular, the questions formerly raised with regard to generator noise have not been addressed.'
