The Eden Local Area Planning Committee of Westmorland and Furness Council convened on Wednesday, 12 June 2024, to discuss several planning applications and related matters. Key decisions included the refusal of a planning application for the conversion of The Belah Bridge Inn into a residential dwelling, the approval of a retrospective planning application for open storage at the former Newton Rigg Campus, and the approval of a planning application for the reinstatement of a footbridge over the River Petteril.

The Belah Bridge Inn, Brough Sowerby

The committee considered Planning Application No: 2024/0006/FPA, which proposed changing the use of the vacant Belah Bridge Inn to a market-led residential dwelling. The Development Management Manager recommended refusal, citing Policy COM1 of the Eden Local Plan 2014-2032, which aims to protect community facilities. The applicant, Mr Stephen O’Donoghue, provided a financial summary, but it was deemed insufficient to prove the public house was inviable. Mr Mike Collin, Chair of the Brough Sowerby Parish Meeting, spoke against the application. Councillor Robinson noted the community's failed attempt to register the property as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) due to its closure. The committee unanimously voted to refuse the application, stating the change of use would result in the loss of a vital community facility.

Former Newton Rigg Campus, Penrith

The committee reviewed Planning Application No: 2023/0721, seeking retrospective permission for the change of use of a former car park to open storage at the Newton Rigg Campus. The application included the installation of a palisade boundary fence. Despite objections from Catterlen Parish Council regarding potential noise disturbance, the committee approved the application with conditions limiting the site's use to 60 months and restricting activities to loading and storage only. Councillor Robinson's amendment to include restrictions on generators and planting machinery was also accepted.

Footbridge over the River Petteril

Planning Application No: 3/24/9002 proposed the reinstatement of a footbridge over the River Petteril near Barrock Park Manor. The Lead Officer for the Minerals and Waste Planning Team presented the application, which aimed to replace a storm-damaged bridge with a more robust structure. Despite objections about the visual impact on the area and a nearby Grade II listed building, the committee approved the application, noting that the new bridge would be screened by trees and local landscape. Conditions were included to protect biodiversity during construction.

Amendment to Commons Register

The committee also considered an application to amend the register of common land at entry 83 of commons register unit CL67 Matterdale Common. The application sought to record the historic severance of 1.27 grazing stints from a land holding of 6.5 stints. Despite an objection arguing that the severance applied to the entirety of the land, the committee approved the amendment, concluding that the register should reflect the partial severance as outlined in the application.

For more details, you can refer to the Minutes of the Previous Meeting and the Public reports pack.