Witherslack - Preferred Site Assessments (PDF) - Lake District ...

limestone vernacular character apparent within buildings). The area has
a strong sense of tranquillity due to the relative absence of dwellings,
settlements, minimal sources of artificial noise and night time light
pollution. The sense of tranquillity is enhanced by the presence of
woodland and the limestone outcrops, which create a sense of
naturalness.
Neighbour
impact
Planning
history
(including
relevant
appeals)
Settlement
character
It is essential that development within this area does not compromise the
sense of tranquillity and respects the vernacular (predominantly
limestone) buildings. Care should be taken to protect the far-reaching
views across adjacent landscapes from interruption from tall vertical or
large-scale developments. Issues including design, scale and layout are
key considerations in the assessment of any future proposals on this
site.
The site abuts ‘The Palace House’ to the west; a track separates the site
from ‘Hawthorn to the northwest, a builder’s yard to the south and fields
to the east. Careful consideration must be given to the issues of scale
and design to avoid being overbearing on neighbouring properties. The
form of the settlement and topology of the site may make it possible to
accommodate a scheme without having an unacceptable harmful impact
on the settlement character and neighbouring properties.
No planning history for this site.
Witherslack is a small quiet village in the south of the Lake District
National Park which lies northeast of Morecambe Bay. It is quite
scattered with four distinct areas. Townend, Mill Side, Beck Head, and
the school/church. Townend is traditionally considered the centre of the
village and contains the local pub The Derby Arms and the Community
Shop. Mill Side is the location of the old Mill and still contains the mill
pond. Beck Head lies to the north of Mill Side and is where a small river
emerges from the limestone escarpment adjacent to Whitbarrow. The
area of the village with the Dean Barwick C of E School and St. Pauls
church lies to the west of Yewbarrow.
There is an overall sense of tranquility throughout the village and several
of the buildings are vernacular in style using the locally quarried
limestone. It is important that development aims to conserve the
vernacular buildings and the use of local vernacular materials is
promoted. The scale of future proposals should protect far-reaching
views across adjacent landscapes from interruption by tall vertical or
large-scale developments
Tree and
The site is located on an area of woodland behind the existing properties
which flank the southern approach road to Town End. The site follows
the existing linear form of the settlement and with careful consideration
to the design, scale, and layout it may be possible to accommodate a
scheme on this site without having an unacceptable harmful impact on
the settlement character.
There are a number of trees on this site ranging from damsons to