A DECISION on plans for nearly 90 homes at a retirement village has been delayed.

Councillors were yesterday set to discuss a controversial planning application for the extra care housing, restaurants, cafes and a takeaway on land near Grange.

But the discussion at South Lakeland District Council's planning committee was dropped at the eleventh hour until all objections to the new development had been read properly. So far there have been a total of 27 individual objections to the proposed new buildings on land south of Allithwaite Road at Kents Banks. The objections to the new proposal range from drainage, lack of cycle paths, no local public open spaces for a playground, and to establish if no less than 35 per cent of the homes on the site are classed as affordable.

One objector said: "If this development goes ahead, it will result in the loss of the only remaining green space in the village.

"It will mean the loss of Kents Bank village as a settlement and it will create an urban area with the coalescence of three settlements – Grange, Kents Bank and Allithwaite." The applicants said in their submission: "The site has been marketed extensively for B1 and B2 (business) use with very little interest arising.

"However there is strong demand for an Extra Care facility and good prospects for securing a small convenience store on the site which will generate a significant number of employment opportunities and provide much needed facilities for the local community."

Councillors were recommended to grant the plans approval. The officers' report said: "The provision will include 35 per cent affordable homes and will provide facilities for the elderly with Grange over Sands being considered in significant need for additional specialist housing." Applicants Holbeck Homes and Lancet Homes will have to wait until December's planning meeting for a decision to be made.