Plans lodged for holiday park on farmland

News imageGoogle Aerial map of farmland with a patchwork of green and tan fields, split by a dark, near-black band of trees along a stream (Skitwath Beck/Swithbath Beck). A pale road, 'Regional Rte 71' curves diagonally across the bottom, and a small dark tarn sits in one of the tan fields. Google
The proposed development site is described as "less favourable agricultural land"

Farmland could be transformed into a holiday park with 130 lodges under "major" development plans submitted to a council.

The application covers a 30.21 hectare site at Bright Tarn, on Greystoke Moor in the Penrith area, and was lodged by Cockermouth-based SRE Associates with Westmorland and Furness Council.

Documents describe the development as being on "less favourable agricultural land" north-west of Motherby, and designed to last 50 years.

The proposed developer said it hoped the project would create the equivalent of 18 full-time jobs, made up of eight full-time and 20 part-time staff.

The proposed 130 holiday caravans would be built in three phases, along with 143 parking spaces.

However, environmental reports have flagged the site's proximity to protected waterways.

Phosphorus concerns

Access would come directly from Berrier Road to the south of the site which is about 3.2km (1.9 miles) upstream of the River Eden and Tributaries Site of Special Scientific Interest and the River Eden Special Area of Conservation.

To address concerns over phosphorus run-off, developers are proposing to connect the site to Motherby Wastewater Treatment Works, roughly 1.1km (0.6 miles) to the south east.

Ponds and filter drains would also be installed to treat surface water across the parts earmarked for residential use.

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