Agenda item

[Electoral Divisions: High Furness]

To consider a report from the Executive Director – Economy and Infrastructure

With the agreement of the Committee, Agenda items 16 and 17 were swopped.

Mr Turner advised that he was a member of the Lake District National Park Authority’s (LDNPA) Planning Committee and was due to consider part of the route at its next meeting. He decided to take part and vote on this item but would not take part at the LDNPA meeting

A report was considered from the Executive Director – Economy and Infrastructure regarding Application Reference No. 5/22/9001. Proposal: A595 Grizebeck Improvement Scheme. Comprising the construction of a new 1.4km two-way, single carriageway replacement section of A595 incorporating a new A595/A5092 junction with bridge widening works; new or modified road junctions/access arrangements and agricultural access tracks; a new overbridge; shared use (cycleway/footway) paths; an underpass; plus additional modifications to the existing highway network; creation of drainage infrastructure (including drainage basins); landscaping (including habitat mitigation works) and associated engineering and ancillary operations. Location: Land between the villages of Grizebeck and Chapels.

The Manager Development Control and Sustainable Development gave a detailed presentation using plans and photographs to explain the application. He reminded members of the information provided at the Committee’s site visit. He talked members through the current issues on the road and in his conclusion explained that although there were harms related to the application, public safety overrode them. He commented positively on Capita’s public engagement sessions.

Mr N Griffiths from Capita and Mr M Robinson from Cumbria County Council were present to support the Manager Development Control and Sustainable Development in answering member questions.

A member living locally and familiar with the road commented that the road is not suitable for vehicles, in particular articulated lorries adding that part of the road went through farmyards. He understood the environmental impacts but considered public safety to be paramount.

After welcoming the development because of its socio economic benefits, a member asked if there would be any heritage issues or items that would need to be preserved. The Manager Development Control and Sustainable Development explained that there were some historical features which would be affected but these were not of significant importance and a condition was recommended relating to archaeological site recording work to mitigate the harm to heritage features.

A member highlighted the possibility of speeding traffic overtaking on the new road. He asked that consideration be given to spaces for speed vans in the design stage for the new road. The Workstream Project Manager, Capital Programmes reported on the liaison with the CRASH Group and committed to looking at this issue in the design stage.

In expressing his shock at the state of the road at Grizebeck village, a member welcomed that vehicle emissions would be reduced on the new road as vehicles would be driven at a steady speed rather than stopping and starting as at present. He queried whether the planned underpass would be high enough to accommodate tractors at Dove Ford Farm. The Workstream Project Manager, Capital Programmes talked about how after public consultation, the height of the underpass had been revised and confirmed that potential drainage issues raised in the consultation would be discussed during negotiations with the landowner. After the same member asked if the issue with the septic tank soakaway at West Winds had been resolved, the Committee was informed that this would be resolved shortly.

A member requested that a 20mph speed limit be enforced at Grizebeck. It was noted that this would be in the gift of Cumbria County Council.

Members were advised that it would be the local authority and not National Highways delivering the scheme. However, it had asked that the A595 be maintained during the construction period and this had been taken on board.

After congratulating officers on an excellent report and site visit and stating that the road was desperately needed, Mr Turner moved the recommendation as set out in the report. This was seconded by Mr Cassidy.

The Chair moved to the vote which was cast as follows: 14 members in favour of the motion, 0 against and 0 abstentions.

RESOLVED that,having first taken into consideration the environmental information, as defined in the Town & Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017, submitted in connection with the planning application, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions set out in Appendix 1 to the report.