Let the people decide: Farron calls for council to go back to local residents after Berners developer pulls out

Local MP Tim Farron has called on South Lakeland District Council to talk to the community about the next steps for the Berners project in Grange after news came to light today that the developers Russell Armer have pulled out.

Russell Armer, one partner of the Berners Vision Partnership given the contract to develop the Berners site in Grange-over-Sands, has today withdrawn from the planned development. Berners Vision Partnership were given the tender to redevelop the site after a comprehensive public consultation process.

Commenting today Tim said: "This is disappointing but I refuse to be bowed, we must now find another way of developing the site. The council must now listen to local people to make sure that whatever happens now also has the support of local residents. This may even be the opportunity to consider whether we can re-open the Lido. The health centre is still agreed but we now need to go back to the drawing board, listen to the community and make sure we use this opportunity to improve services for local residents. I am determined that this is only a very temporary set back - Berners must be redeveloped."