Eden, Cumbria, The Lake District – A natural choice for business

Employment Sites

Employment sites are identified by Eden District Council as part of the process of producing a Local Plan. The Eden Local Plan 2014 – 2032 was adopted in October 2018 and allocated a number of sites in Eden for employment purposes. The Council is currently preparing a partial review of the Local Plan but this will focus on climate change and design and will not be making any new employment allocations. In addition to the Council’s allocated employment sites, a small number of non-allocated sites have been granted planning permission for employment development and are currently unimplemented. Details of both such sites are provided below.

Penrith

Penrith is a focus for employment growth, given its excellent transport connections and high quality of life. The Local Plan identifies two employment sites; one of these is an extension to the existing Gilwilly Industrial Estate (11.91ha of which 3.22ha remain undeveloped) is proposed. The other site is land at Skirsgill, south of the A66 (3.29ha); whilst this benefits from good access to the strategic road network, there are access constraints with the current access inadequate for any further intensification of use and decisions regarding any upgrades delayed until further clarification on plans for the A66 upgrade. Site availability and development here is not, therefore, a realistic prospect for the short to medium term.

The plan does not currently allocate Eden Business Park given the issues surrounding viability and deliverability, particularly in respect of the delivery of a new access road to Junction 41 of the M6. It is important to note, however, that the Eden Business Park remains a long-term strategic objective of Eden District Council, and whilst development of this site is not currently viable, the Council will continue to explore options which may help unlock development and provide jobs at this site in the long-term.

Non-allocated sites which benefit from planning permission for employment development include 3.3 ha at Myers Lane, Penrith (planning application ref: 19/0636) which benefits from excellent access to the A66 and Junction 40 of the M6 as well as land at Junction 41 ‘Eden 41’ (planning application ref: 17/0928) which extends to 7.5 ha and benefits from excellent access to the strategic road network, in particular Junction 41 of the M6 motorway.

Alston

Employment land is allocated at the Skelgillside Workshops in Alston (1.31 ha). The Local Plan also supports appropriate mixed use development that complements the site’s heritage at High Mill.

Appleby

Employment land is allocated at Cross Croft Industrial Estate (1.36 ha) and the Old Creamery (1.98 ha). The remaining redevelopment of Shire Hall is also supported.

Brough

Employment land is allocated on Brough Main Street (1.5 ha).

Kirkby Stephen

Employment land is allocated at Kirkby Stephen Business Park (3.33ha).

Tebay

Employment land is allocated at Old Tebay Depot (1.42 ha).