Barrow Raiders have pledged their support for plans for a holiday resort on the Furness peninsula.
The rugby league club has written a letter to Westmorland and Furness Council backing plans from developers ILM Group who have lodged revised proposals for the Roanhead Lodge Resort.
The new plans have faced opposition from the Natural Trust, Friends of the Lake District and MP Simon Fell, among others.
The proposals include the installation of 233 lodges as well as a range of amenities which developers say will be available to overnight guests, as well as residents and community groups from the immediately surrounding community.
Barrow Raiders chairman Steve Neale said: “ILM Group shares our aspirations for Barrow, realised through the vision for Roanhead Lodge Resort.
“The resort represents a significant economic investment in Barrow and Furness, creating diverse opportunities for local people.
“Not only does this include training and skills opportunities and increased spend in our local businesses, but new amenities that will be made available to local people and that support healthy communities.”
ILM Group said the proposed Resort Club will include a spa and wellness retreat with swimming pools and a gym, cinema room, farm shop, and a bar and brasserie.
The developers add a range of outdoor and indoor sports and fitness facilities are also proposed, including an archery range, multi-purpose pitches, padel tennis courts and yoga terraces.
Mr Neale added: “We are heartened by discussions with ILM Group about how local sporting organisations like ours could get involved.
“If the application is approved, Barrow Raiders and our associated charities would be able to benefit from the health and wellness and other hospitality facilities at Roanhead Lodge Resort, which we lack at our home ground and elsewhere in the local area.
“This could help towards opening up some of the opportunities we are currently being held back from.”
Andrew Coutts, CEO of ILM Group, said: “From the outset it has been important for us to go beyond simply providing high quality accommodation. We want to create a sustainable destination here in Furness, and an important part of that will be the wide range of supporting amenities and facilities that will be on offer on site.
“Needless to say, our commitment to community inclusivity ensures that local groups have access to these resources. We have welcomed engagement with community groups such as Barrow Raiders and their enthusiastic support shines a light on the exciting opportunities the resort could offer for the wider community.”
The plans have proved controversial with MP for Barrow and Furness Simon Fell labelling them as ‘reckless’ for their impact on the environment.
Askam & Ireleth Parish Council also objected to the plans and said: “Askam shore, with its woodland habitats, has an amazing flora and is mentioned in the Flora of Cumbria as the richest two square km 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.”
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.
