Last ever Eden Planning committee meeting approves two new Penrith business park applications.

The committee considered two separate applications the first application to develop additional land North of Eden Business Park as an outline application for B2, B8 and E(g) development to create additional business space alongside the existing industrial estate.

The second application for creating a site business park located on land at A6 and B5305 Stoneybeck as an outline application for Class E(g) and/or Class B2 and/or Class B8 development along with approval for site access.

Penrith Town Council Planning committee had lodged objections to both applications.

On the application for land North of Eden Business Park the town council at their meeting in October 2022, resolved to object to the application saying.

“The land is not allocated within the Eden Local Plan and, at the present time, with other land currently under development, the wider employment/economic benefits do not outweigh this. Although adjacent to the existing business park, it is extending towards a heavily used track used by walkers, cyclists and horse riders across the open countryside.”

“Losing the will to live now” was the reaction expressed by one member of Eden council planning committee today in reaction to a statement read out on behalf of Penrith Town Councils planning committee, to outline the objection of the town council planning committee to the second business park planning application for the site located on land at A6 and B5305 Stoneybeck.

The town council had no representative attend to read the statement but requested its statement be read to the committee.

In the statement from Penrith Town Council objection to the site development made reference to Newton Rigg no longer used for education and should be used a business development site first.

In response to this Cllr Wicks requested to point out the factual inaccuracy of Penrith Town council’s comments regarding Newton Rigg and education ad Newton Rigg Ltd are at the Newton Rigg site.

Eden planning committee voted to support approval for the first of the two business park applications on land North of Eden Business Park with the committee voting unanimously in support.

The second business park application located on land at A6 and B5305 Stoneybeck was approved with only one councillor voting against the application. Cllr Ross voted against the application due to her wish to see a footpath linking Penrith and the business park.

Despite the approval by Eden District Council today the committee were informed the A6 and B5305 Stoneybeck application may have to go before the secretary of State for consideration as the application is a departure from the approved local plan.