PROPOSALS to build 100 homes on farmland at Appleby have been raised by a developer.

Builder Heyford Developments Ltd, based in Stratford-Upon-Avon, is looking to build the houses off Station Road and along the southern side of the A66.

The 16 acre site is currently used as farmland.

Plans were revealed after the developer sought to get a screening opinion from Eden District Council.

This is the process of determining whether an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), which assesses things like the ecological consequences, is required.

In its decision, dated, March 6, the council stated: "Following the screening process, it is confirmed that the proposed development is not considered to constitute ‘EIA development’ and therefore an Environmental Statement need not be submitted in support of any subsequent application."

In its screening report, written by the developer's agent Barton Willmore, it states: "The A66 lies immediately to the north east of the site and provides a link between Penrith and the M6 motorway to the west and Darlington and the A1M to the east.

"Station Road divides the site and provides access to the eastern side of the village and outlying residential properties.

"Appleby-in-Westmorland village centre is approximately 600m to the south west of the site includes a post office, library, cricket ground, playing fields, Appleby leisure centre and Appleby Medical Practice."

In the Screening Opinion Checklist it also states: "It is acknowledged that the quality of agricultural land subject of this screening request is unknown.

"However, it is also acknowledged that there is significant quantities of agricultural land, not only in the area, but wider district.

"The site has been established to be an ‘allocated’ site within the Local

Plan and its loss for housing development has been, therefore considered acceptable.

"The scheme would be required to demonstrate no net loss to biodiversity in order for proposal to be approved within landscaping secured as mitigation.

"The site subject of this proposal is considered to be relatively large in relation to housing developments within Appleby. However, it is considered to be of an appropriate scale for such a location within the district.

"Within the Local Plan and as such, appears bigger as whole than it would if each of these allocated sites came forward separately.

"The construction phase will have a potential impact for a limited period of time. However, the overall impact is considered to be minimal."

The Cumberland News has attempted to contact the developer and their agent but did not receive a reply by deadline.