Controversial holiday park plan withdrawn

The plans for the holiday park were initially submitted in April 2024

A plan to build a holiday park at a beach has been withdrawn following backlash from the local community.

Queensland Country Park Ltd wanted to build a "sustainable leisure retreat" off Hawthwaite Lane, on Roanhead, in Cumbria.

But despite Queensland stating it would restrict development to areas with a "low habitat value" as much as possible, a petition to stop the plan was launched.

The decision to withdraw the application from Westmorland and Furness Council was made on 28 August after being submitted in April 2024.

Queensland asked for permission to build 19 holiday lodges, 22 motorhome pitches and various office and facility buildings on the land at Roanhead.

A group called Save Roanhead was formed to prevent developing the coastline and has since amassed more than 10,000 signatures.

Multiple objections

The National Trust, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), Cumbria Wildlife Trust and Cumbria GeoConservation Group also objected to the plan.

The RSPB argued that the applicant "completely failed to adequately" address the impact of the development on Natterjack toads, an endangered species that breeds along the coast.

Cumbria GeoConservation Group said the development would cause "unacceptable harm to the geodiversity of the area".

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Clive Welch, of Save Roanhead, said: "Our campaign team was heartened to see that local developer Queensland has done the right thing and withdrawn its planning application for a controversial holiday park at Roanhead.

"In the face of overwhelming opposition from conservation and landscape organisations and local councils they probably had no choice."

Currently, a decision to grant permission for larger holiday development on a neighbouring site is pending, lodged by the owners of Roanhead Farm.

Save Roanhead also oppose this development.