Part of the ambitious Windermere Gateway project has been resurrected.
It was announced that the housing element of the major scheme had been shelved in January because it could not meet the timetables set out by Homes England to complete work on the highway.
Today, Westmorland and Furness Council said it will pay £150,000 for consultants Mott MacDonald to draw up a masterplan for the Windermere Railway Station area to transform it into a transport hub.
The authority said the design work was an essential step towards being able to deliver the improvement and was being funded by its Local Transport Grant allocation.
It said: “The vision for the station and surrounding area includes transforming it into a vibrant transport hub with better connections for walking, cycling, taxis, and buses, alongside public realm and wayfinding upgrades.
“The plan is to create a high-quality station and public realm designed in line with inclusive design best practice, while also delivering heritage-sensitive design within the Conservation Area and World Heritage Site.
“Measures to enhance passenger experience, sustainability and climate resilience will also be explored.”
The Windermere Gateway project is a partnership between the National Trust, the Lake District National Park Authority the council and housing developer Urban Splash.
Westmorland and Furness Council’s cabinet had previously agreed to finalise an agreement with Homes England to receive Brownfield, Infrastructure and Land Funding of £9.95 million for Windermere Gateway, to deliver the associated highways work related to the proposed housing development at Orrest Head Farm.
The housing element of the Windermere Gateway would have seen around 242 new homes delivered on the Orrest Head site, of which it was proposed that a minimum of 133 would be affordable – subject to planning consent and receipt of funding.
“Given the emerging funding and delivery constraints, the housing scheme, including the anticipated outline planning application, cannot proceed to timetables set by Homes England in respect of the grant funding to enable the necessary highways infrastructure improvements.
“As a result, the grant agreement for the enabling highways infrastructure required to support the housing development will not be taken forward at this time.”
Meanwhile, plans have been submitted to the Government to fund the Lakes Line passing loop and platform, aiming to double train frequency.
It said the focus was now on securing government backing and the significant funding to progress the improvements.
