900-home Kendal opportunity mapped out
Kendal Futures, the public/private partnership set up to drive forward the regeneration of the Cumbrian town, has identified five sites totaling 88 acres that could be redeveloped into homes for around 2,000 people.
Four of the five sites are located in the heart of Kendal and are earmarked for a combined 915 homes.
The fifth site, a 35-acre active limestone quarry west of the town centre, is earmarked as the landing spot for some commercial uses currently located in the town centre that could be relocated to unlock sites for housing.
Funded by Westmorland and Furness Council and Kendal Town Council. The sites opportunity study is described by Kendal Futures as a “radical new approach to housing development”.
The sites
Canal Head – 24.4 acres east of Aynman Road capable of accommodating 351 homes. The site is in highly fragmented ownership – with the council owning a decent chunk – and at risk of flooding.
Blackhall Road – A 4.2-acre site home to Westmorland Shopping Centre and largely owned by the council that is earmarked for 215 apartments in five- and six-storey blocks.
Railway Gateway – 15.8 acres around the station that could be redeveloped to provide 211 homes and around 33,000 sq ft of commercial space. Eric Wright Group is one of several landowners.
Busher Walk – close to nine acres west of the River Kent that could accommodate 138 homes. The council is the majority landowner and tenants include the police and ambulance services.
Kendal Fell Quarry – A 35-acre quarry that could provide a new home for the police, ambulance, and other services currently located in the town centre.
Mark Cropper, chair of Kendal Futures, said: “Building homes in the town centre can bring huge financial and community value to Kendal. Carefully redeveloping brownfield sites can ensure they significantly contribute towards Westmorland & Furness Council’s annual new homes target while securing the future vitality of Kendal’s town centre and its businesses.”
The hope is that the sites will be designated for development in the next iteration of Westmorland and Furness’s local plan.
However, there are significant barriers standing in the way of their being developed. Namely fragmented land ownership, contamination, flood risk, and viability constraints.
“Kendal Futures and its partners will explore [these] alongside seeking interest from potential developers,” Cropper added.
“This could include canvassing for investment funds under the auspices of the proposed Mayoral Authority which is in part designed to enable such projects.
“Delivering over 900 more homes in the town centre within the next Local Plan period could ensure Kendal remains a vibrant and thriving town and help protect areas of our surrounding green landscape from further development sprawl.”
900 more homes, yet zero mention of any meaningful infrastructure investment, something Kendal desperately needs.
By Chateau Musar
@Chateau Musar Kendal Futures have done extensive work looking improving the local highway network, unfortunately the local highway authority seem happy to keep their heads in the sand!
By Anonymous
Sounds very well n good but no mention of the inferstrutuction pollution around it. Cost, extra care required for new residential property, ect, Dr’s teachers, schools , all comes at a price unless the new homes are 2nd homes, unaffordable to locals. Sounds good until we break it down!!!
By Eric Stephenson
And are they going to put in extra doctors, surgeries, dentists, opticians. Oh, no mention of these.
By Anonymous
And how would hundreds of new residents to Kendal be provided for in regards to GP services, Dentists, schools, hospitals ( No emergency department or inpatient beds in Kendal now! Placing extra burden on failing hospitals in Lancaster and Barrow!!) and the already chocked up road network in the town ??!! Kendal is unable to accommodate such a surge in new residents!!! Think this through people!!
By Anonymous
Why are we never told who these new homes are being built for. There’s no reference to local need or all the infrastructure needed.
By Anonymous
Did I miss reading that it’s to include doctors, dentist, schools , people struggle to get appointments now, 😕.
By Anonymous