Welcome to our website - this will enable you to access all of the documents submitted in support of Planning Application (resubmission) 7/2011/5102– Development of business park (including B1, B2 & B8 uses)

Based on government statistics for average employment densities this development will support over 1000 jobs outside tourism and farming. Over many years there has been a steady decline in the number of skilled jobs resulting in the migration of a disproportionate number of young people compared to other regions as they seek work elsewhere. Existing businesses cannot expand and are frequently to be found in less than ideal premises and locations – unable to compete on an equal footing against others outside the National Park.

All parties recognise that there is a need for a site that will actually attract the expansion or relocation of established businesses – but it is simply no use imagining that this will happen unless the workshops, warehouses and offices are of a modern standard with inherently low maintenance and energy costs as well as with first class transport and communication links.

Ratherheath is overwhelmingly the best site because it can deliver everything that businesses need to compete effectively - and yet will have a significantly lower impact on the qualities of the Lake District than any other site (or collection of sites making up a comparable size).

Although it may seem unimaginable - the extensive research undertaken has professionally assessed every field (green and brown) both in the Lake District and around Kendal. The assessments have not simply been restricted to the sites identified in both planning Authorities’ Local Development Frameworks. Without exception every site is inferior to Ratherheath because of a combination of:-
• greater impact on the Landscape; Environment; Ecology; Transport
• unacceptable flood risk; site accessibility
• Restrictive Covenants.

There is no evidence to support the statement that has been made by some that “there are better locations”. No-one has brought one forward in recent years and neither the Lake District National Park Authority nor South Lakeland District Council have been able to bring forward any viable sites in the 18 months since the first application was submitted – or in the previous 7 years of seemingly unending employment site surveys.

Most of the documents on the following pages were submitted with the original Application – 7/2009/5665 - however there have been several changes, the material ones being: 1) the Planning Application  2) the covering letter 3) the illustrative masterplan

The research supporting this Application was extensive and the documentation is of necessity voluminous. If you need help or guidance accessing any information or simply wish to ask a question please contact us– we will do our utmost to answer you in a respectful way and a timely manner.

The Ratherheath Partnership