Lake District resort plans under fire as charity mounts opposition campaign

A Lake District charity has signaled its opposition to plans for a new leisure resort on the Furness coastline.

Last month specialist hospitality developer, ILM Group, submitted a revised planning application for Roanhead Lodge Resort, which has almost halved the original number of proposed lodges.

A previous application was withdrawn in December 2023, so that St Albans-based ILM Group could review the extensive feedback received, in particular concerns expressed by environmental campaign groups.

ILM said, having listened to this feedback, a more balanced and sensitive approach has been taken to the masterplanning process, which almost halves the number of lodges proposed on the resort from 450 down to 233. It said this will significantly reduce the number of visitors to the site and potential associated impacts on the natural environment.

The group said the scheme does not encroach on any protected ecological areas and, as part of the new masterplan, 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. Additionally, in direct response to concerns raised about potential disturbance to wildlife, dogs will no longer be allowed at the resort.

ILM Group said it is in constructive dialogue with Natural England to help ensure the scheme is designed as sustainably and sensitively as possible.

If approved, ILM said the scheme stands to deliver more than £10m of additional visitor spend to the economy of Cumbria annually, and create almost 200 jobs. it will create 209 jobs during construction and an additional 184 permanent jobs during operation, with 164 of these expected on site at Roanhead Resort.

However, Cumbrian landscape charity Friends of the Lake District, said it will continue to oppose plans for the resort.

Charity CEO, Michael Hill, said: “There was widespread opposition to the first plans submitted by the landowners last year. We stood alongside other environmental organisations and local people to object. We stand with them again to challenge a revised plan submitted last month.

“Whilst the developers have reduced the number of lodges from 450 to 233, this remains unacceptable and is in clear conflict with local plan policies.

“The impact of lodges, parking, restaurants and sports facilities on the landscape, along with the additional footfall of thousands more people in a rare, fragile and internationally protected area, teeming with wildlife, is completely inappropriate.”

He urged those opposing the plans to let Westmorland & Furness Council know about their concerns.

“Over 7,200 people have signed a petition against the proposal, but planners will only take into account objections made directly to them. Also responses to the previous application won’t count either.

“We are, therefore, urging anyone who values Roanhead to make their views known once more, and as soon as possible.”