A planning application seeking full planning permission for the erection of a convenience store on land at Carleton Hall Farm has been submitted to Westmorland and Furness Council on behalf of North Lakes Estates Limited.
The application proposes the construction of a purpose-built convenience store, accompanied by 19 car parking spaces and provisions for motorcycles. The development aims to cater to the growing population of Carleton Village and provide a local retail offering accessible to nearby residents.
Convenience stores, known for their provision of day-to-day foods and other essential products, offer an alternative shopping experience to larger supermarkets. They are typically situated on the outskirts of towns or within residential areas, conveniently located within walking distance of homes. The application outlines suitability of Carleton Village for the convenience store project is attributed to its prime location in an area experiencing significant population growth and its location on the A686 road.
The expansion of Carleton has been evident through recent residential developments, including the completion and occupation of Cumbria Homes' 44-home Manor Park development, the occupied and under-construction Genesis Homes' 82-home Eamont Chase development, the occupied and under-construction Story Homes' 149-home Brougham Fields, and the planned Barratt Homes' 105-home Carleton Road development on an allocated site. Furthermore, Persimmon's Carleton Heights project in Penrith, which is already occupied and under construction, that will add 600 dwellings to the area.
North Lakes Estates Limited submitting the application for the development of the Convenience Store states they have engaged in discussions with a national retailer who has expressed a keen interest in running the store. The unnamed retailer is reportedly confident in the store's potential, given the existing and upcoming housing developments in the vicinity, as well as the passing trade from the nearby A686.
The planning application highlights many benefits associated with the convenience store's development in Carleton Village. The most prominent advantage would be the provision of a new retail option for the local community, conveniently situated near a significant number of residential properties and directly accessible from the A-road. The convenience store's concept revolves around promoting sustainable shopping habits by encouraging residents to walk or cycle for smaller, day-to-day purchases.
Beyond the environmental and health benefits of reducing car dependency, the proposed convenience store would generate employment opportunities. National retailers have indicated that a store of this nature and size could create up to 20 jobs, including a mix of full-time and part-time positions with diverse roles, responsibilities, and enhanced career progression prospects.
Convenience stores traditionally serve a broader social role in communities they operate by meeting the needs of disadvantaged, socially excluded, and elderly individuals, particularly those with limited mobility who struggle to access more distant shops.
The planning application for the convenience store marks a promising development for Carleton Village, aiming to provide convenience, employment, and community support. The proposal now awaits determination by Westmorland and Furness Council. Ahead of the decision by Westmorland and Furness Council as the local planning authority Penrith Town Council will meet on Monday the 3rd of July to debate the application and give the town council views on the application as a consultee.
Ass well as the town council the application is currently open to consultation with the opportunity for the local community to give views and opinions on the application.
Full details of the application and give comments can be found via https://goto.penrith.town/Carleton-convenience-store-plans
What do you think about the plans?
Then select "Add to Home Screen"
