Parish councils in south Cumbria have added their voice to objections to proposals for a new holiday resort on the Furness Peninsula.
Askam & Ireleth Parish Council and Barrow Town Council have submitted objections to revised plans from ILM Group for the Roanhead Lodge Resort which, developers say, could bring £10 million in additional visitor spending annually to Cumbria.
Barrow Town Council said the type of development was totally unsuitable, create an overbearing impact on the countryside and would cause a detrimental effect to the existing wildlife.
In its objection, the council said: “The town council, in conclusion, wish to enquire why staff accommodation is required when the applications have stated that the development will bring prosperity to the area through the employment of local residents.
“Further, the inclusion of on-site supplies and services suggest that the town centre shops will not benefit from the development as previously stated.”
In response a spokesman for ILM Group said: “The initial plans include four cottages for the resort manager and estate core workers. On-site living is common in resorts such as this for convenient availability.
“Independent consultants, Hatch, have projected that 184 new jobs will be created, 121 of which are expected to be workers from the immediate locality. This approach aims to provide much-needed balance to the local job market.
“Regarding shops, visitors will have the option to get certain supplies from the on-site suppliers, however, they will still inevitably spend time in the town centre where businesses will benefit from an increase in footfall.
“Again, Hatch’s independent research shows that the resort could generate an annual increase in visitor spend of £10.8m, with over 80% of that spend expected in Barrow.”
The new scaled-back proposals will include the installation of 233 lodges, nearly half the previously proposed 450 lodges for the site, which the developers said would significantly reduce the number of visitors to the site and potential associated impacts on the natural environment.
According to developers, in the new plans buffer zones between the resort and designated nature sites have been expanded.
Greater protection has also been afforded to the nearby ancient woodland and the construction access to the site has been moved away from this area, said ILM.
In response to concerns raised about potential disturbance to wildlife, dogs will no longer be allowed at the resort.
Askam & Ireleth Parish Council said: “Askam shore, with its woodland habitats, has an amazing flora and is mentioned in the Flora of Cumbria as the richest two square kilometres in the county. In fact, three of the most botanically rich two square km in Cumbria are Askam, Roanhead and Sandscale Haws National Nature Reserve.
“This increase in pressure on a fragile ecosystem would be very damaging at a time when there are elements of nature in critical decline.
“In order to attempt to reverse the devastating effects of climate change on the planet, we are being encouraged not only to protect, but to enhance our natural environment and this development would compromise any such initiatives in the local community.”
The parish council said it was not opposed to local regeneration but said the scale, type and location of this development was not acceptable in principle.
The parish council added: “If planning approval were given, this would set a precedent for other developers who own the surrounding land.”
