MP and Lib Dem councillors celebrate community campaign win after controversial plans for convenience store in Kendal pub car park defeated

Cumbrian MP Tim Farron and local Lib Dem councillors have warmly welcomed the breaking news that controversial plans to build a Co-op on the car park of the Duke of Cumberland pub in Kendal have been thrown out.

The plans were first submitted back in 2020 but were withdrawn after they received over 400 objections from local residents.

The objections raised concerned increased traffic that would be brought to the area creating a potentially dangerous junction off Appleby Road and Shap Road, and also the threat another national supermarket would pose to small local businesses.

However in 2021 the plans were resubmitted, and were met with even stronger opposition with 714 objections submitted to the planning committee who rejected the application.

And now this week, the council refused an appeal from the developers, with hopes that the plans are never to return.

Speaking today, Tim said:  “These plans would have had a massively negative impact on traffic congestion, pedestrian safety and also would threaten the business of local shops nearby like Burrells Newsagent and Sandylands Spar.

“I want to thank local residents and local Liberal Democrat councillors Eamonn Hennessy, Shirley Evans and Jonathan Cornthwaite for campaigning to have these plans finally – we hope – defeated.”