Council 'strongly' objects to resort plans

The site would have a maximum capacity of 208 bed spaces

A town council has "strongly objected" to plans for a "sustainable" resort over concerns for wildlife and sewage disposal.

The plans, for the land off Hawthwaite Lane in Roanhead, on the Furness peninsula in Cumbria, include 23 holiday lodges, 10 glamping pods, 24 caravan pitches and a number of buildings.

Barrow Town Council said the proposed development was in an "unsuitable site" and would have a "detrimental effect" on existing wildlife.

But the plans by developer Queensland Country Park Ltd stated positive socio-economic impacts and said the boost to biodiversity would offset the limited on-site ecological impacts.

The town council raised concerns over sewage disposal and said the plans would "create an excess of vehicles" on roads, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Plans stated foul water run-off would be treated by new, on-site sewage treatment plants, and did not present an increased flood risk to the surrounding district.

According to "worst case" traffic scenario analysis, the proposal would have "negligible effect" on queuing at, and on the capacity of, the A590/Oak Lea Road junction and the A590/Park Road Junction.

'Positive impacts'

Developers expect the resort to attract between 6,000 and 9,000 guests per year.

According to the proposals, there will be direct employment benefits and further indirect employment benefits for the local economy from visitors wishing to visit Barrow and Dalton town centres, as well as Askam village.

Plans added that "although the applicant is not claiming a substantial quantum of job creation benefits, the positive socio-economic impacts, together with the substantial biodiversity net gain generated by improvements to the applicant’s wider land ownership, will more than offset the limited on-site ecological impacts, and the wider landscape and visual impacts that have been identified".

The applicant distances itself from plans for the neighbouring Roanhead Lodge Resort.

Developers ILM group have lodged plans for the installation of 233 lodges there, nearly half the previously proposed 450.

Those plans have faced opposition from Barrow Town Council, as well as Friends of the Lake District, Cumbria Wildlife Trust and the National Trust.