SOUTH LAKELAND LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK
Proposal Submission Core Strategy
This is the response by Kendal Civic Society to the above proposal.
A great deal of thought has clearly gone into the preparation of the Proposed Submission. The documents, though daunting, are interesting in the way they reveal the problems, needs and aspirations of those responsible for planning for the future of this area. Kendal Civic Society wishes to comment on the Core Strategy, mainly when it concerns Kendal, which is where our remit lies, although our comments could well apply to other parts of the district. We are particularly concerned with the Conservation Area; members of the Civic Society were heavily involved in drawing up the Conservation Area and feel very strongly about its future. We do not believe that there has been a legal failure in the process used to produce the document. We feel that it fails in the tests for “soundness”, namely that it is not justified and will not prove to be effective.
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Foyer for YWCA Kendal
This was a huge accommodation block slotted between Prince Charlie’s House and Camm’s Yard to replace modern buildings. Another opportunity has been missed to provide a good vibrant design, and not the very overpowering structure which was proposed. NL0911
Wainwright’s Footsteps
Lilian Hopkins, SLDC Planning Officer, shares our concern over the changed position of the footsteps and the creeping Pizza Express chairs and tables, which are deviating from the original plan. She is to take action with Maple Grove and Pizza Express. 
View of Wainwright’s Yard showing the engraved slate backed seats depicting the Langdale Pikes. From the brass footsteps you now have a view of tables and chairs. NL0911
SL/2009/0592 Former Stoker’s Garage, Kirkland
Application for 37 apartments, with retail unit at ground floor. The apartments are to be social housing for rent, with some providing supported help for the disabled. Members felt that this was a welcome provision, and that this application was a slight improvement on the previous one for a Health Centre. However, there was dismay at the height of the building – four storeys plus roof. Whilst the land behind is much higher, and the houses on the crest may not be unduly affected, this is a tall slab to rise straight from the pavement, and one storey higher than the adjoining Kent Court. The exposed stairwell was felt to be inappropriate and ugly, and the scale and design is too massive for this situation in Kirkland, within the Conservation Area and across the road from the Parish Church. This application was approved unanimously by the SLDC Planning Committere. NL0911
SL/2009/0787 Conversion of redundant farm buildings at the Helm, to camping barns
SL/2009/0787 Conversion of redundant farm buildings at the Helm, to camping barns
This application is for 36 beds in three units. It was felt that, whilst the buildings were at present very run down, this development was too large: “more like a new housing estate” as one member put it. The idea of a camping barn was welcomed, but not on this scale with the number of cars it would attract, in this very special location. The Helm is popular because of its peaceful, open feel, and this was not the place for such a large development. For this reason, we have objected. NL0911
FISHER TARN PLAQUES
 
These new plaques should be installed by the time you read this newsletter. United Utilities have funded their replacement. They are rather different from the ones you see around town and should not attract thieves looking for scrap metal, these being only cast alluminium.
PETER CREWDSON AND JOHN MARSH MEMORIAL PLAQUE
The Civic Society have been looking to place a suitable plaque on the Blackhall Road/Stramongate junction in memory of Peter Crewdson and
John Marsh, following the planting of two trees here earlier in the year. This is an untidy part of town which needs a facelift and in co-operation with Kendal in Bloom and SLDC we have come up with the idea of building an attractive landscaped, planting area with a limestone feature as its centrepiece on which the plaque could be mounted. Watch this space. NL0911
THE LOWTHER STREET SARACEN
 
Kendal Town Council were very pleased that the Society had offered to restore the Saracen and have had it taken down from its perch on the wall of Gawith and Hoggarth’s old snuff factory in Lowther Street. It is now in the hands of Norman Holloway who is doing the restoration and re-painting work and we hope to see it back in position shortly. We have written to the SLDC Planning Dept. suggesting that a proviso in any future planning application for the old snuff factory, should be that the Saracen remains in-situ as part of Kendal’s history. NL0911
WILL THE BRITISH WRECK BRITAIN?
“Over 600 Societies now exist in this country which should be superfluous and are not, simply because our standards of national and local government are inadequate. They are the bodies that have sprung up - ominously, the number has trebled in 10 years - to defend what used to be a land of beauty unexcelled against a mixed force of foes the more dangerous many of them, for being blind to what they do. These enemies are public and private development, traffic and population pressure. As camp followers they bring apathy, lack of taste among officials, architects and planners and sheer conscienceless greed. Unless they are soon contained, little will be left in half a century....” (Extract from the Society Newsletter July 1968 quoting the Daily Telegraph June 15th by S. J. Salfield)
NEW PUBLICATIONS 2009
 
There are two new publications which can be obtained from Trevor Hughes or Patricia Hovey at a cost of £2.00 each + postage. Greenside Lime Kiln (by Trevor Hughes, Patricia Hovey and Arthur Nicholls), and the Archeological Excavation Report on the K Village Site (by Martin Railton).
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 2010
January 3rd 2:00pmThe Annual New Year Guided Walk CANCELLED DUE TO POOR WEATHERMeet at Booths Car Park (Top Deck) (Wear strong shoes or boots as it may be muddy on the walk). January 11th 7:30pmThe John Satchell Memorial Lecture CANCELLED DUE TO POOR WEATHER
‘A History of food in Kendal and the South Lakes’ by Ivan Day
Shakespeare Centre, Highgate, Kendal
Come early to get a seat! March 22nd 7:30pmAnnual General MeetingShakespeare Centre, Highgate, Kendal April 26th 7:30pmLecture: ‘An Evening with Alfred Wainwright’ by John Burland (Wainwright Society Press and Publicity Officer) Shakespeare Centre, Highgate, Kendal 7.30 start. (Visitors £2.00) Jun 20th 2:00pm (Postponed 3rd Jan New Year Walk)Midsummer Walk for Members and Friends
Meet at the bottom of the Tram on Queens Road
This takes the place of the New Year Walk, cancelled due to snow and ice. We hope to walk up to the medieval Helsfell Hall, restores last year with a grant from English Heritage and then on to the Wolf's Cave. We will come back to Bleak House on Queen's Road, by kind invitation of our Chairman and his wife, Andrea, for welcome cup of tea. Please wear sturdy footwear and be prepared for any sort of weather but - we hope - not snow and ice this time. Guided Walks around Kendal June 27th 2:00pm July 11th 2:00pm July 25th 2:00pm August 8th 2:00pm August 22nd 2:00pm September 5th 2:00pm Open to anyone Cost: £2.00Please contact Trevor or Patricia for details and venue. September 20th 7:30pm (Postponed from Jan 11th)The John Satchell Memorial Lecture‘A History of food in Kendal and the South Lakes’ by Ivan DayShakespeare Centre, Highgate, Kendal This is the lecture postponed from January 11th, again because of the weather. You may have seen Ivan in the Victoriam Farm series on television around Christmas. He is often on the radio and is an infallible source of information on the history of food preparation and presentation. Not to be missed! October 25th 7:30pmMembers’ EveningShakespeare Centre, Highgate, Kendal
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Marks & Spencer 1st Floor Extension
This extension was objected to on the grounds that it is so much higher (4.2 metres) than the present building, that it would obscure the view of the Fellside and, with its half-mansard flat roof, would be only too visible viewed from above. It contravened all the requirements for a development within the Conservation Area (to preserve and enhance) and its use of artificial stone and re-constituted slate on what is a bland and anonymous building was to be deplored.
Members did not oppose the concept of an extension to Marks & Spencer, but recommended a good long look at the brilliant re-design of Kendal College, and suggested that a first floor extension could be provided within a building of the present height but with a flat green roof – as at Lakeland Limited in Windermere.
The application was approved despite our comments. NL0911
Kirkbie Kendal School – New Entrance Porch
This was be objected to: it would be appropriate as an entrance to a care home, but does not do justice to the fine Stephen Shaw building of 1888. NL0911
Hallgarth Cottage, Windermere Road
From NPS acting for SLDC: The Council owns the land surrounding the house and the adjoining grazing field which extends along the Windermere Road beyond the town boundary, and is considering its potential for developing the land for affordable housing. This would appear to go against all the standards and guidelines in the Allocations of Land document, and is one we will be watching closely in the future. NL0911
SL/2008/1155 Dwelling on Garth Heads, Kendal
Planning permission has been granted, but with so many conditions that any normal developer would surely give up! One odd anomaly, picked out by Mr Bottomley, was that one condition states that, the roof is to be covered with tiles of a flat slate type colour; the next states that the roof shall be covered with slate similar in colour and texture to those mined in Cumbria. The planners have stated in bold type that ‘The grant of planning permission does not entitle developers to obstruct a public right of way. Development so far as it affects a right of way, should not be started and the right of way should be kept open for public use, until the relevant orders for the temporary closure of the right of way has been obtained’. It would appear that all issues have been covered, but, given the past history of this site and the developer, it needs careful and constant watching. NL0911
KENDAL CASTLE PLAQUE
 The old stainless steel plaque on this site has now been replaced with a brand new one, from Westmorland Signs, to the same design, the previous one, erected in 1989, having stood the test of time and vandalism very well. Our thanks go to the Neighbourhood Forum for their very generous grant to help fund the project. Let’s hope it lasts as long as its predecessor.
PAUL HOGARTH PLAQUE
A new Plaque is to be installed on 28 Caroline Street, Paul Hogarth’s birthplace.
LADY FIONA
Mr Appleby reported on this last existing barge, once used to transport coal and lime on the Kendal/Lancaster canal, but now languishing on dry land and unwanted by British Waterways who want to be rid of her. He feels that she should come back to Kendal for eventual display at the Canal Head Development, and claim should be laid to her before she is broken up. A temporary resting place has been found, but at 14 foot wide and 57 feet long and 60 tons,she is a big boat to transport and store. Enquiries are being made to see if it is feasible and to see what funding we would need.
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PLANNING CHANGES 'THREATEN OUR HISTORY AND COUNTRYSIDE
Tens of thousands of listed buildings and large swathes of the countryside could be destroyed after two key planks of the planning system were quietly dismantled by ministers. In previously unreported plans, the Government is to downgrade protection on old buildings and those in conservation areas in order to "benefit developers" and "reduce the number of applications for planning permission rejected on heritage grounds". The professional body representing town planners described the proposal as "unfit for purpose". In a separate development, the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC), a new quango that has been created to speed up planning decisions on "major infrastructure projects", was described as a threat to "valuable landscapes". The changes to historic building protection are contained in a draft Government "planning policy statement" slipped out during the summer holidays. It says local authorities should allow the demolition or alteration of historic buildings where the "material harm" caused to an area's heritage "is outweighed by the wider social, economic and environmental benefits of the proposed development”. It says this "is likely to benefit developers" by reducing the number of planning applications rejected. Martin Willey, the president of the Royal Town Planning Institute, described the policy as "a charter for people who want to knock buildings down". "This new guidance assumes that heritage stand in the way of development and economic recovery, which is patently untrue. Historic buildings and places are an asset, not a burden," he said. A spokesman for the Department for Communities and Local Government said it had received more than 300 responses following consultation and would give "careful consideration to all the points and comments that have been made" when the draft was revised. The IPC is made up of unelected commissioners who have been given 'draconian' new powers to grant planning permission, cancel Green Belt protection allow developers to seize private land, remove footpaths and close roads. The vast majority of applications it will be asked to considered are expected to get planning permission. Two nuclear power stations and five wind farms are among the first it will assess. The Campaign for the Protection of Rural England described the IPC as a "mockery of democracy" that will "threaten valuable landscapes". Andrew Gilligan Daily Telegraph
OLD CHESTNUTS
We are still enguaged with our campaign against Large Wheelie Bins and Grafitti. These continue to blight our town and are an ever increasing eyesore that needs to be addressed.  |  | | The New Shambles Graffiti | Entry Lane Wheelie Bins
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CHRISTMAS CARD 2009
Once again, Michael Bottomley kindly allowed the Society to use one of his paintings for our Christmas Card. This time it was a wintry view of Gulfs Road, painted in 1982. The cost for cards is as follows: Size A5 148mm x 210mm@ £0.50 (inc envelope). Size A6 148mm x 105mm@ £0.25 (inc envelope). There was also an A4 print on offer, also for £0.50. If you would like some they can be obtained from Patricia Hovey, our Hon. Sec., on 01539 720388.
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