Controversial plans for a South Cumbrian glamping site have been refused.
Forty-six people had objected to the proposal for a paddock in Rampside, opposite The Clarkes Hotel, for six metal-clad pods. The application was discussed by Barrow council’s planning committee this week, and officers had recommended refusal.
Tony Wijack, owner of Rampside Hall, which sits close to the land that was earmarked for development, felt it would lead to disturbance from holidaymakers.
“Guests will socialise outside, they’ll eat, they’ll drink, they’ll listen to music,” he said. “There’ll be no supervision. This will lead to anti-social behaviour, beach parties, litter from takeaways.”
John Long, who owns a plot of land next to the site, said: “The frontage of this party field projects into the road by over a metre.
“The access to this project is creating the only four-way junction that exists in this village, and it’s creating it in the narrowest part of the road that exists in the village.”
Mr Long feared that people entering or exiting the site in vehicles would cause road blockages, and asked what the plan for litter-collection vehicles was.
“Will they park in the road, will they request access and go in, or will they park somewhere else?” he said.
Councillor Hazel Edwards said: “There is a great parking issue there. The access is on a very busy road. Highways safety has to be paramount there.”
She added the development would have a negative impact on the coastal area.
Cllr Bill McEwan said: “The speakers have made some really good points, I totally agree with them. It’s not a great site for what’s going to happen here, it’s too close to the housing across the road.”
Case officer Maureen Smith described the site as ‘highly sensitive in terms of landscape impact’. She said she did not feel any noise disturbance could be mitigated by a planning condition.
The application was refused unanimously.
