Safety fears raised over new flood defence plans

Concerns have been raised that walling off the common, as shown, will make it unsafe

Amendments to a flood defence scheme are expected to be approved despite dozens of objections.

South Lakeland councillors are recommended to agree to the changes along the western side of the River Kent in Kendal.

There are concerns from planning officers, the police and councillors that walling off New Road Common from view will make it less safe and encourage anti-social behaviour.

The Environment Agency (EA) said the proposed landscaping had "been kept to a minimum to ensure that the existing openness" of the land is retained.

The EA submitted the amendments because of "emerging technical design difficulties".

Previous plans were approved in 2019 but the new design is considered "preferable" as it is "technically feasible", the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

'Feel less safe'

The new wall would be 41m (135ft) shorter than originally planned and no more than 1.65m (5.5ft) high.

There would also be new flood gates at the end of New Road, next to Gooseholme Footbridge, and at the pedestrian crossing between New Road and Blackhall Road.

The proposals have received 69 objections, including representations from Kendal Town Council and Westmorland and Furness Council members.

Councillor Matt Severn said: "The common is used by pedestrians, runners and people exercising at all hours and these proposals do not consider their safety or the practicality of walling off from view a common area of land."

The report by planning officers agreed the effect of the proposals were "likely to make New Road Common feel less safe, if not actually less safe, in terms of an increased potential for crime and antisocial behaviour".

The EA has said the existing CCTV column near the proposed development would be retained and would still be able to see over the common.

Councillors are expected to approve the plans on 10 May.