The boss of a South Cumbrian leisure centre says his facility would be put at risk if plans for a £100 million holiday resort are given the green light.
Shaun Fisher runs Dalton Leisure Centre – the UK’s only not-for-profit community-run venue of its type. He fears proposals to develop Roanhead Farm, near Askam, into a 450-lodge resort could put his centre at risk.
He said: “The development plans for Roanhead include a large leisure centre open to the public. This is a threat to most gyms and leisure pools in the area. After funding being put into local places, why waste all that money on local spots to then allow a new facility?”
Brothers Terry and Jimmy Curtis have farmed the land at Roanhead, near Askam, for much of their lives and are behind the plans for the redevelopment.
The developers say 265 full time equivalent jobs would be available – with 199 of these workers expected to be from Cumbria and 132 from the Barrow area.
The complex would also feature a health club and spa, bar, brasserie, sports courts, pool and an events barn. The developers estimate it could attract 130,000 people into the area a year.
But campaigners against the scheme – including a host of nature and landscape charities – say it would ruin the local area and put a nearby nature reserve at risk. A protest group, Save Roanhead, has been set up to oppose the plans.
Shaun added: “The local beach will be destroyed, there will be A590 chaos on Fridays, the development makes no sense to me. I agree we need more attractions in the area, but not this and not at Roanhead.”
He urged people to object to the plans.
