Councillors on the Westmorland and Furness Councils Eden area planning committee have today voted to approve plans for timber cladding on a property on Beacon Street in Penrith, going against the advice of planning officers.
The application had previously been recommended for refusal and was deferred at an earlier meeting of the Planning Committee to allow members to carry out a site visit.
Planning officers had advised rejection of the proposal, citing concerns from the council’s conservation officer. The officer argued that the timber cladding would not reflect the traditional materials of the conservation area and would add to the extension’s negative impact on its character and appearance, resulting in what was described as “less than substantial harm.”
However, following the site visit, councillors said they felt the impact would be limited. Members noted that similar materials had been used on nearby properties and that the building is not easily visible from the roadside.
The committee ultimately voted unanimously to approve the application, overturning the officers’ recommendation.