Slip delays homes plan on hotel site

South Lakeland District Council’s planning committee was due to consider a planning application on Wednesday for 32 new houses on the site of Graythwaite Manor Hotel.

But it was struck from the agenda at the 11th hour.

SLDC planning manager, Mark Shipman, told councillors new information had “come to light” concerning a legal technicality with the council’s report.

Members of the planning committee had been shown around the Fernhill Road site on Monday  ahead of discussing the application this week.

But Mr Shipman told the committee: “The (council) report fails to take account of an important piece of planning evidence, which is the adopted neighbourhood plan for Grange-over-Sands.

“The neighbourhood plan for Grange-over-Sands was adopted back in September. It now forms part of the statutory local plan, and therefore the authority (SLDC) has to take that into account before making a decision.

“If it doesn’t, there’s a risk the decision could be challenged under a judicial review.”

Mr Shipman said Grange Town Council had been “unhappy” that SLDC’s report had not considered the neighbourhood plan.

The plans guide land use and development in certain areas, and are a key part of the planning process.

Mr Shipman told councillors at the meeting on Wednesday: “My advice is we defer this item so that the report can be updated properly to take account of that documentation.

“We can bring back a comprehensive report for the next agenda.”

The planning committee unanimously agreed to shelve the matter to a later date.

Chorley-based Blackmores Ltd has submitted an application for 32 new dwellings consisting of 17 apartments and 15 new houses.

SLDC had recommended it get the go-ahead with 11 conditions.

The application attracted 20 representations from the public including a number of objections, among them Grange Town Council.

It said the site contravened SLDC’s land allocation policy and the town’s neighbourhood plan.

The Graythwaite Manor hotel shut in 2012.