Lake District village misses out on new doctors' surgery 'because patients might be hit by cricket balls'

He spent thousands of pounds on the planning application and a risk assessment before withdrawing it in frustration, according to the Mail.

Mr Johnston has now opened up on his bewilderment at planning bosses after his ideas were thrown out.

"I have had enough. I was only doing it for the village as an act of kindness. There was nothing in it for me," he said.

"I am not throwing any more money at it. I don't want the aggro at my age. If they don't want a new doctors' surgery and two new houses, that's up to them."

Coniston had a dedicated family doctor for 170 years before the previous GP retired last year.

Villagers created a social media video showcasing the area's natural beauty, seven pubs and a brewery to lure in a replacement.

Coniston is set to miss out on a new doctors' surgery amid fears of 'serious injury' from a six

GETTY

Not a single applicant came forward for the 845-strong community, nearly a third of whom are over 65.

Without a full-time practice, residents faced an hour-long return car journey to the closest surgery in Ulverston, or twice that by bus.

As a temporary measure, another Lake District practice began running a branch surgery three days a week from a basement in the village.

Johnston, who owns holiday cottages locally, put forward his own plan to make the post more appealing.

The parish council and patients' group both supported the proposal, which included two flats reserved for local residents.

Locals faced an hour-long return car journey to the closest surgery in Ulverston

GOOGLE

Only three objections were lodged: a resident who preferred converting an existing building, the Friends of the Lake District over visual impact, and Coniston Cricket Club.

Sport England, acting on the club's behalf, told planners a fence up to 46 feet high would need to be erected to shield the site from sixes.

Its planning consultant said the "issue of ball strike" had not been fully resolved, and that approval "could therefore still have a prejudicial impact on the sporting use of adjacent cricket club".

Planner Emma Kearsey noted the club's warning that "a well-hit cricket ball travelling beyond the boundaries of the ground" could cause "serious injury to people accessing the surgery and flats above".

She recommended planners turn it down to avoid placing "unreasonable restrictions" on local cricketers, despite the site being otherwise suitable.

Sport England told planners a fence up to 46 feet high would need to be erected to protect a potential future GP

GETTY

Mr Johnston said a committee had been set to vote on the application next month before he pulled it.

"The sad thing is that this was never about making money," he said. "I saw it as an altruistic venture.

"I have nothing whatsoever against the village cricket club, in fact I'm one of the team's sponsors."

"It just makes no sense. I've owned this land for 15 years and no-one's ever found a cricket ball that had been hit onto it."

South Cumbria Integrated Care Board confirmed GP services would carry on from its current basement location in Wraysdale House until a different solution could be found.