Initial proposals have been lodged for a new ‘sustainable’ holiday park in South Cumbria – next to land earmarked for a highly controversial £100m development.
An application written on behalf of Queensland Country Park Limited has been submitted to Westmorland and Furness Council for a ‘screening opinion’ on a plan for new eco-lodges and caravan pitches on land at Roanhead, near Barrow.
This is to determine whether an environmental impact assessment is necessary for the construction of a ‘low impact, sustainable, leisure retreat’ on the land off Haverthwaite Lane.
The proposed holiday park will consist of 40 touring pitches, reception facilities, a small shop, toilets, showers, 62 carbon neutral eco lodges and a car park with capacity for approximately 50 vehicles.
If screening from the council identifies significant environmental effects an environmental impact assessment is necessary.
In a report prepared on behalf of the applicant it states the reasons behind the holiday park proposal.
The report says: “To provide ecologically friendly leisure accommodation that will help to promote the physical and mental wellbeing of its visitors, including those with disabilities, and enable them to experience the natural environment and interact with nature in a tranquil and comfortable setting.
“To assist in repairing and reinvigorating a habitat that has been scarred by its industrial heritage (iron ore working) and which has not been managed properly for many years, so that the site’s full potential contribution to conservation and biodiversity has not been realised.
“To confine development to those parts of the site which have low habitat value and which, with sensitive landscaping and management, can add to the biodiversity and conservation value of the local area, without causing harm to the nearby sensitive coastline habitats.”
The report also distances the applicant from controversial plans to construct a controversial leisure facility in the nearby area.
In the report it states: “The emerging proposal on the applicant’s site will not include any on-site restaurant, café, bar, pub, pool, jacuzzi, sauna or such like.
It adds that it will not include any indoor sports facilities, play areas, events or any other material quantum of built development.
Earlier this year campaigners gathered outside Barrow Town Hall to protest against plans to build a 450 lodge £100 million development on land near the new development.
However, the ILM Group, which is behind the application, claim the resort will generate 279 new jobs and bring in nearly £200 million to the local economy over its first decade in business.
It added that the development would mitigate against any potential impact on wildlife by retaining the existing woodland and planting new areas on the site.
It is currently going through the planning process after a consultation over the summer.
No date has been set for when a decision on the ILM plan will be made.
