Fears new Co-op shop would 'ruin' Dalston's identity
Last updated at 13:01, Friday, 16 January 2009
Villagers have called for a public meeting in Dalston over fears that a new Co-op store could lead to a loss of rural identity.
Dozens packed into the Victory Hall on Tuesday night to have their say on plans to knock down a garage in the centre of the village and replace it with a new Co-op store.
They hit out at a lack of car parking spaces, encroachment on nearby homes and raised concerns that the building could make their protected village look more like a town.
They urged councillors to call for a public meeting to be attended by local developers and a representative from the Co-op.
Residents have been fighting to preserve their village status and even over-turned plans to class Dalston as a town three years ago.
But parish council chair Ronnie Auld said residents must brace themselves for change with a new garden centre planned and proposals for 1,000 new homes at Morton set to close the gap between the village and the city.
Mr Auld said: “The parish council fought to see Dalston redesignated as a village after Carlisle City Council advised that we should be categorised as a town.”
But he added: “Dalstonians are going to have to accept change because there are a number of big developments on the horizon. This is a big concern for us.”
The Co-op wants to move from its current premises into a new building in a conservation area at The Green.
Builder JJ Lattimer, of Mealsgate, has asked Carlisle City Council for permission to flatten what is currently Ben Hodgson Bodyworks to make way for the new store and two residential apartments.
The car showroom is expected to move to new premises at the far end of the village.
If granted, the new convenience store would have a 300sq m sales area, with additional storage space and would open daily from 7am until 11pm.
With parking already a sore point in the area, residents hit out at a lack of designated places on the plans, which show just eight spaces.
Anne Nichol, who lives at 1 The Green with husband Bobby, has lived in the Dalston Square area for 42 years.
She said: “This is going to have a great impact on the village. We are a village, not a town and we do not need a superstore.”
Mrs Nichol added: “My views onto Dalston Square will be lost and shop bins will be 15ft from my home.
“I live in a grade two listed building and cannot even put in double glazing – and I have got to live beside that.
“It is disgusting.”
She added: “Wagons are also going to be coming in and out close to my house.
“We thought that when this land was sold it was going to be made into flats.
“I am quite upset about it.”
Parish councillor Pauline Dalton added: “We have a constant fight to remain rural.
“This could be an asset for the town but it has to be got right.”
Mr Auld added that a recent survey showed that the majority of local people do want to see something else on the site. He added: “The main thing we have been asked to consider is a public meeting and the parish council are very much in favour of this.
“We will defer this meeting and arrange for a public meeting to be held in the town.”
The meeting will be held on February 7, starting at 10am at the Victory Hall.
First published at 05:19, Friday, 16 January 2009
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk
i now dalston very well. as i as i lived in carlisle and often stay at dalston hall if they were to build a co op it would brind big wagons though and the co op deliver any hour of the night. sorry to say but i no i live behind a co op. the dust, noise, from 4 in the morning to 11 at night so my advise avoid it if you can.
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Knocked down 
Extreme walker 
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Have your say
I lived in Dalston for 5 years from age of four. I left in 1978 and have dreamed of returning to live in the place I consider home ever since. I saw my first snake sunning itself on the bridge on the way to the train station. I discovered frog spawn. I nicked the vicars apples but he still let me ride on one of his donkeys. I had adventures at the old witches house. My neighbour dear old Molly Percible was like a second grandmother. I was part and parcel of the village - a child of Dalston and to this day I am proud to think of myself as such. I dont want to lose my home before I even return. That Village is a true community with great character and should be left well alone.
Posted by michael davidson on 6 February 2009 at 18:48