IT WAS back to the drawing boardfor kitchenware giant Lakeland Limited this week after its expansion planswere blocked - by a country lane.

Lakeland wanted to build a majornew warehouse, linked to its distribution centre at Kendal's WestmorlandBusiness Park, to keep pace with its rapid growth and to create 100 newjobs.

But angry residents opposed the expansion because thewarehouse would have been built across Gilthwaiterigg Lane, a popularroute between Kendal and Burneside, especially forcyclists.

Lakeland said that, "for business efficiency and securityreasons," it did not wish to develop the site with the lane dividing itsbuildings.

The company could not extend west or north because of"flood plain constraints," while the existing access road and othercompanies were to the south.

Local people pleaded for the historiccountry lane to be saved during a packed meeting of South LakelandDistrict Council's development control sub-committee, and councillorsdecided to refuse planning permission.

In a close vote, Cumbriacounty councillors also objected to the expansion on landscapegrounds.

South Lakeland councillors agreed they were happy with thedevelopment, even though it was outside the town's development boundary,but they did not want to see the lane closed.

After the meeting,Lakeland's marketing director Julian Rayner told the Gazette he was"disappointed" that planning permission had not been secured.

"We'velooked at tunnelling underneath the lane, but that's down to the floodplain level," he explained. "What would happen is the tunnel wouldprobably flood. We've looked at building over as well, but that hasenvironmental impact, and it makes linking the two sites extremelydifficult, because we would only be able to move goods on a conveyor.

"That's why I said we haven't approached this lightly. This was avery difficult decision. If we could find another way, we would havechosen that. We don't go out seeking controversy."

Asked whetherLakeland would now have to look for new premises outside Kendal, Mr Raynersaid: "We've been very mindful not to upset our staff or view that as athreat. That isn't an option we are considering at themoment."

Lakeland's board would meet next week to discuss the wayahead.

Meanwhile, leading campaigner and ward member Coun AngelaBarratt told the Gazette: "I'm delighted that the lane has been saved, anddisappointed that it was not a full refusal because of the fact thebuilding will still be outside the local plan, and will still bring hugepressure of traffic to the town."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000.Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.