New Substations and EV Charger Among Penrith Planning Applications
Plans for two new electricity substations were among the planning applications recorded in Penrith during May.
Other proposals included an electric vehicle charging point on Lowther Street, work to a listed building and changes to trees in the town’s conservation area.
A total of seven applications were recorded during the month.
Key Applications Submitted in May
Applications recorded for Penrith included:
- Eden Business Park – new electricity substation
- Land adjoining Bell Mount Farm – new electricity substation
- 14 Lowther Street – electric vehicle charging point
- 3 King Street – replacement door at a listed building
- 98 Lowther Street – work to a large conifer
- 23 Drovers Lane – pollarding of a willow tree
- Land between Inglewood Road and Centurion Rise – drainage details linked to an approved development
New Substation Planned at Eden Business Park
Plans have been submitted for a new electricity substation on land west of Cowper Road at Eden Business Park.
The equipment would be housed inside a glass-reinforced plastic chamber.
Applications of this type are submitted as notifications under permitted development rules rather than through the standard full planning process.
Electricity substations help manage the local power supply by changing the voltage before electricity is distributed to homes and businesses.
The application was recorded under reference 2026/0946/OHLI.
Second Substation Proposed Near Bell Mount Farm
A similar application was submitted for land next to Bell Mount Farm.
The proposal also involves installing an electricity substation inside a glass-reinforced plastic chamber.
The short application description does not explain which nearby development or properties the substation would serve.
The council will consider whether the work meets the requirements set out under the relevant permitted development rules.
The application was recorded under reference 2026/0943/OHLI.
Electric Vehicle Charger on Lowther Street
Plans have been submitted to install an electric vehicle charging point at 14 Lowther Street.
The charger would be fixed to the front wall of the house.
It forms part of Westmorland and Furness Council’s EV Pavement Channel Trial.
Pavement channels allow charging cables to pass safely from a home to a vehicle parked on the road. This can make it easier for people without private driveways to charge electric cars.
The application was recorded under reference 2026/0798/HOU.
New Door Proposed at Listed Building
Listed building consent has been requested for work at 3 King Street.
The application seeks permission to replace the rear entrance door.
Listed building consent is needed when work could affect the historic character or fabric of a protected property.
Even smaller changes, such as replacing doors or windows, may need approval when a building is listed.
The application was recorded under reference 2026/0730/LBC.
Tree Work on Lowther Street
An application was submitted for work to a large conifer at 98 Lowther Street.
The applicant wants to raise the tree’s crown by around two to three metres.
Crown raising involves removing some of the lower branches to increase the space between the ground and the remaining canopy.
The property is within a conservation area. This means the council must be notified before certain tree work is carried out.
The application was recorded under reference 2026/1014/TCA.
Willow Tree Could Be Pollarded
Plans have also been submitted for work to a willow tree at 23 Drovers Lane.
The tree would be pollarded at a height of around three metres.
Pollarding involves removing the upper branches of a tree to control its height and encourage new growth.
As the property is within a conservation area, the council has the opportunity to consider whether the work is suitable.
The application was recorded under reference 2026/0976/TCA.
Drainage Details Submitted for Inglewood Road Site
An application was recorded for land between Inglewood Road and Centurion Rise.
It seeks approval of a sustainable drainage management and maintenance plan.
The details are required under a condition attached to an earlier planning approval.
Sustainable drainage systems are designed to manage rainwater and reduce the risk of flooding or pressure on existing drains.
This type of application does not seek permission for an entirely new development. It asks the council to confirm that a condition attached to an earlier approval has been met.
The application was recorded under reference 2026/0938/DISC.
What Happens Next?
Submitting a planning application does not mean that the proposed work has been approved.
Planning officers may consider:
- The design and appearance of the proposal
- The effect on nearby homes and businesses
- Access and road safety
- Drainage and flood risk
- Heritage and conservation
- Protected trees
- Local and national planning policies
Applications may be approved, refused or changed before a final decision is made.
Residents can search for individual applications and view supporting documents through the Westmorland and Furness Council planning register.
