Issue details

Planning for Kendal town centre only was approved in June 2019, which included approval to install aluminium framed glass flood defence panels in three locations within Kendal; 35m at Gooseholme near Stramongate weir, 130m at Waterside next to Miller Bridge and 92m along Aynam Road.

In response to the scheme Kendal Town Council formed a Flood Relief Scheme Working Sub-Group including the Environment Agency and South Lakeland District Council to report on the scheme and identify opportunities to improve the visual design of the glass panels in these public realm areas of the town.

South Lakeland District Council, Kendal Town Council and the Environment Agency will collaborate in order to progress the design, planning and installation of the new improved glass panels’ which forms part of the new planning application for Aynam Road and Waterside.

The overall objective is to retain and improve the open aspects of the riverside views along Aynam Road by increasing the total length of glass panels from 92m to 411m (137No x 3m panels) along Aynam Road and at the same time change the glass panel specification from aluminium powder coated glass panels to an upgraded stainless steel specification glass panels in all three locations. The design principle along Aynam Road being to replace the approved flood wall above 1.2m in height with 800mm high glass panels located on a lower flood wall of varying heights, which would improve the open views along the riverside. In order to maintain a consistent specification across the scheme.

South Lakeland District Council has previously agreed to fund a fixed contribution of £325,000 plus an additional £150,000 fixed contribution on behalf of Kendal Town Council. However following the cost increase of materials South Lakeland District Council is seeking approval for an additional £125,000 contribution towards the installation of the Glass Panels from the Business Rates Pool.