Plans for a privately funded GP surgery in Coniston, a Lake District village without a full-time doctor, have been withdrawn after concerns that patients could be hit by cricket balls from the neighbouring ground. The proposal was intended to make the village more attractive to doctors after a recruitment campaign failed, but planners warned that protective measures could unfairly restrict the cricket club’s normal use of its pitch.

Coniston’s 845 residents currently have temporary medical cover three days a week in a basement, while many patients would otherwise face a lengthy journey to Ulverston. Businessman Phil Johnston had spent £10,000 on the planning application and a further £2,500 on assessing the cricket-ball risk; Sport England said a fence up to 46ft (14m) high might be needed. The site would also have included two locally reserved flats, but Mr Johnston withdrew the application before a planned committee vote.