The removal of a popular temporary car park at Ullswater has been ordered in an escalating planning wrangle.
The Lake District National Park Authority has declared it “unlawful” and served an enforcement notice.
It gives land owner Ronald Richardson, of Soulby, six months to turn the 50-space facility back into a field. But his representatives told the Herald they plan to appeal and may go to a public inquiry.
The car park, at the junction where the A592 meets the B5230 near Waterfoot, has extensive public support to remain.
They fear its loss will only increase bad parking and traffic congestion along the lakeside road.
Last November, a formal bid by Mr Richardson for the car park to stay for another two years and make it pay and display was turned down by members of the LDNPA’s development control committee. A narrow vote saw four members in favour of it going and three wanting it to stay.
Objectors included the Friends of the Lake District and Natural England, which advises the Government on the natural environment.
They believe a car park there contradicts national park sustainable travel policies and a commitment to reduce vehicle use across the Lakes and the world heritage site.
But four councils supported it staying — Cumbria County Council, Matterdale Parish Council, Patterdale Parish Council, and Barton and Pooley Bridge Parish Council.
So too did tourism group the Ullswater Association; Ullswater ‘Steamers’ operator Lake District Estates, and five members of the public, plus a sustainable travel group.
The car park was originally set up in August 2019, when temporary permission for it was granted on condition that the site be restored at the end of the project to construct the new bridge at Pooley Bridge — which opened two years ago this month. As well as visitors, the car park also provided space for a contractors’ compound and offices.
In addition, parking for visitors in Pooley Bridge had been restricted during the bridge works due to the closure of the LDNPA’s 37-space fee-charging Dunmallard car park. The row has now stepped up a gear with the LDNPA serving an enforcement notice. Peter Winter, a planning agent for Mr Richardson, confirmed they would appeal against the notice.
The Ullswater Association called the car park an “essential” facility.
The association said: “The car park is deemed a blot on the landscape on the lake approach but it’s a known fact that there are not enough parking spaces or public transport options like park and ride schemes available as alternatives to manage visitor volume and circulation.
“We acknowledge this facility continues to be of huge benefit for the businesses of Pooley Bridge and its residents, in terms of limiting illegal parking in the area, avoiding blocking access, managing visitor volume into the area, increasing visitor spend/dwell time, which in turn boosts the local economy and provides jobs.
“We are keen to continue to show our support to retain this facility.”
An LDNPA spokesman said: “The original proposal was that the car park would be temporary while the replacement bridge was under construction.
“The approved plans clearly indicated that post-completion the car park would be removed and the site restored. Unfortunately, the car park is still there. We consider this to be unlawful.
“A planning application to retain the car park for a longer period has also been refused.
“We have served an enforcement notice requiring the landowner to do what was shown on the approved plans — remove the car park, and comply with the planning permission.”
