A South Cumbrian MP has labelled plans to build a holiday resort on the Furness peninsula as reckless.
Simon Fell, who represents Barrow and Furness, submitted an objection to plans from developers ILM Group which has lodged revised proposals with Westmorland and Furness Council for the Roanhead Lodge Resort.
Mr Fell said: “I fundamentally support the aim of improving Furness’ tourism offer. However, tourism must be sustainable and beneficial to the local area. I see scant evidence that this development would achieve either of those aims.”
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.
Developers say research undertaken by independent consultants Hatch as part of the planning resubmission demonstrates the significant economic boost that the resort could deliver for the Furness area, with an anticipated annual increase in visitor spend totalling £10.8m, with over 80% of that spend expected in Barrow-in-Furness.
On the plans Mr Fell said: “If we allow this natural environment to degrade, it will be lost forever. The developer’s plans do not address the challenge that this application would bring if approved and are reckless in that regard.
“Furness is a remarkable place with a largely untapped offer for tourism. A development like this would be most welcome in a location on the peninsula that did not abut such a sensitive site.
“However, the fundamental fact is that, as proposed, this application is counter to the Local Plan and would in my opinion lead to irreparable damage to a landscape
and natural environment that is our duty to protect. I therefore take the exceptional step of objecting to this application.”
According to developers n 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.
Andrew Coutts, CEO of ILM Group, previously said: “We recognise the strength of feeling relating to our previous proposals and have listened intently to feedback, evolving our approach to provide a new masterplan for Roanhead Lodge Resort that is much more balanced and sensitive to the surrounding environment.
“The proposals continue to represent a major opportunity to stimulate the visitor economy locally, create hundreds of jobs, and provide high-quality amenities, which will support the Furness area’s transformation into a thriving place to live, work and visit.
“Dedicated visitor accommodation, with the appropriate infrastructure, facilities, and professional management in place to support it, has an important role to play in this journey, ensuring that economic growth is realised sustainably and that there is a positive impact on the wider community.”
