Development approved amid city expansion concerns

Objectors said the development would extend Carlisle into the more rural outskirts

Residents fear their hamlet will be absorbed into the outskirts of a city after plans to develop more than 48 hectares (118 acres) of farmland were approved.

Members of Cumberland Council's planning committee backed the application for the site near Grearshill Farm and the surrounding land in Harker to house industrial and logistics units.

The applicant, Strawson Holdings, also requested permission for roadside facilities such as an EV charging facility, petrol station, two restaurants and a public house.

The plans were approved on Wednesday, with seven councillors voting in favour and one against despite being told the community would see "very little benefit" from the scheme.

Objector Ken Huddart told the meeting that Harker was a hamlet with about 100 homes and had a rural feel with a tranquillity for residents.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, he said the plans would attract more development and Harker would become an extension of the Kingstown suburb of Carlisle.

'Just wrong'

Longtown Liberal Democrat councillor Tim Pickstone said the land was not identified for industrial use and agreed Harker would become an extension of the city.

Pickstone said: "It's been three years since residents have been consulted on this issue and to make such a big decision to have a major industrial and distribution site which extends Carlisle this side of the [M6] motorway for the first time outside the local plan process is just wrong."

Mike Downes, the applicant's agent, said discussions with the former Carlisle City Council began in September 2018 and it was felt it was a matter of "when not if" the site would be redeveloped.

He also said Strawson Holdings had support from Cumbria LEP and the former MP.

There were concerns among the committee about the development's impact on junction 44 of the M6 which is "not a stress-free experience", according to Labour councillor Andrew Semple.

Planning officer Alanzon Chan told members there had been discussions with National Highways and it was felt it would not affect the junction's capacity.

Corby and Hayton Liberal Democrat councillor Roger Betton said it was a "significant investment opportunity for Cumberland", adding: "Of course that comes at a price for the local community.

"They would see very little benefit from this but, on balance, we should support this."