Plans to build a new car park, information centre and public toilet block in the Lake District could be given the go-ahead at a meeting today.
Members of the development control committee for the Lake District National Park Authority are recommended to delegate authority to the head of development management to approve plans from Mr J Heath to build a car park with 90 spaces on land adjacent to Eusemere Car Park in Pooley Bridge.
A decision on the proposed car park was previously deferred in June after committee members said they required more information.
This included a reconsultation with the lead local flood authority as well as a bottoming of the management plan around encouraging long-stay parking but also hours of operation and addressing the issue of overnight vehicle occupation.
A management plan submitted by the applicant says no camper vans or motorhomes will be allowed to park overnight.
However the management plan adds they will be welcomed and accepted during the day to avoid further traffic in the village, being directed to the nearest suitable overnight facility before the closure of the car park.
The plans were deferred again in September due to evidence being presented of use of land at the site by badgers which required further survey work.
Following the submission of a badger survey report, Lancashire Badger Group commented that the proposed mitigation was excellent and added they had no problem with the application being approved.
The proposed car park extension would include 72 standard car parking bays, six disabled bays and 12 designated electric vehicle charging bays.
Pooley Bridge is described as the gateway to Ullswater, providing extensive lakeside access, a terminal for Ullswater ‘Steamers’, numerous shops, eateries, water sports and boating facilities.
Committee member Richard Outhwaite previously said: “I regularly go to Pooley Bridge and walk with groups and in my opinion, there is a need for additional parking.
“I think it will cause harm but that harm is justified in part in satisfying that need and the benefit that brings.
“Where it’s more difficult is it seems we’ve got recent evidence of challenges to flood risk and that hasn’t been bottomed out. So I’m concerned that we rush into a decision to approve it without actually trying to bottom out whether that flood risk continues or is it something that’s not a justified concern.”
Planning documents submitted on behalf of the applicant say the current parking provision in the village was not sufficient.
The design and access statement says: “The applicant has been approached on numerous occasions by local residents and business owners alike, regarding the potential to create additional parking spaces on land in their ownership, to relieve these issues for visitors and locals, and this planning application is a response to their requests.
“The current lack of long stay and short stay parking provision increases traffic movement through the village as visitors wait for a parking space to become available.
“Parking and waiting on pavements, double yellow lines and on verges is a regular occurrence and causes issues to traffic flows within the village.”
The proposed information centre will provide details of activities and attractions locally including details of sustainable modes of transport available and will include secure cycle parking and the provision of cycle hire including ebikes, encouraging the exploration of the area via active travel.
Planning documents said the electric vehicle charging bays will not be fast charging points to encourage long stay parking with an average four-hour charge time.
There were objection letters from 35 different people, a 222-signature petition of objection and 18 letters of support.
The petition said: “As I’m sure most of you know, the hospitality venues can barely cope with the current influx of tourists during the summer season.
“Visitors to Pooley Bridge contribute a lot to our livelihood’s and we appreciate this. However, the village is full to capacity during busy periods and these proposed plans would only encourage more people to come and join the never ending queues in our pubs and cafes.”
