Submitting an Objection Write TO THE LDNPA to help the fight against this proposal. Download our letter template, add your own response (we've provided text in the template to guide you) and email it to the Lake Disitrict National Park Authority Expand Write TO THE LDNPA to help the fight against this proposal. Download our letter template, add your own response (we've provided text in the template to guide you) and email it to the Lake Disitrict National Park AuthorityDOWNLOAD A TEMPLATEMS Word Template Plain Text Template(Template includes guidance on what to include and where to send) We've also added the template content to a website page at this link for anybody having difficulty in downloading the templates.
Alternative Solutions These are specific solutions for this area that are already set out by the LDNPA as part of a wider Smarter Travel plan for the whole of the National Park. Expand These are specific solutions for this area that are already set out by the LDNPA as part of a wider Smarter Travel plan for the whole of the National Park. This is the plan that should be implemented instead of developing new car parks. Coordinated efforts between the LDNPA, their partners and relevant agencies to push forward the delivery of the existing vision for a more strategic and sustainable approach to visitor and traffic management in the LDNP, including increasing the role of Keswick as a transport interchange hub; Use of double yellow lines/clearways with appropriate controlled gaps/exceptions for exclusive use of users of locals, businesses and community facilities; Closure of the roads in the area around Catbells, in accordance with its designation as a ‘Traffic Managed Area’ in the Management Plan, Smarter Travel Plan and forthcoming Local Plan, including limiting exceptions for cars to those with mobility issues, residents, deliveries (including tradespeople with jobs in the area) Enhancing the service and incentivising use of the existing 77 bus; the boat services from Keswick; the Cumbria Way and other footpaths; and cycling as modes of travel between Keswick and the Catbells area
Press Release: 23rd Feb 2021: Undermining Plans for a Sustainable Future It is imperative that we do not undermine the opportunity for a more sustainable future by continuing with a business-as-usual ad-hoc approach to the localised parking problems that impact on many of our communities.” Expand A proposed car park at Ullock Moss, near Portinscale continues to capture the attention of locals and visitors alike. The proposal has polarised an argument between an urgent need for parking and pressing traffic problems at the foot of the popular Cat Bells walk and the Lake District National Park Authority’s own vision for Smarter Travel in the Lake District. Many responses have already been submitted to this planning application, including from local residents of Portinscale and landscape charity Friends of the Lake District who recognise the need for parking and traffic issues to be addressed in the location, close to the major tourist hub of Keswick, but do not view the proposal as an acceptable or appropriate solution. Their concern is that a car park will set a precedent which could have a major bearing on the wider future of the Lake District, what it will look like and what it will become. Importantly, the proposal is in direct conflict with the LDNPA’s own planning policies relating to the location of new car parks and when they would be allowed. This includes current policies and, to an even greater degree, those in their new Local Plan, which is expected to come into force imminently. It also conflicts with the National Park Management Plan and the vision for Smarter Travel in the Park. These all establish that reducing travel by car to, from and within the Park is a top priority alongside providing a range of integrated, sustainable travel options. This would address carbon emissions and allow the LDNPA to meet their Statutory Duty to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the Park. Lorayne Wall, Planning Officer at Friends of the Lake District said: “Allowing a new car park in this location threatens to set back plans for sustainable travel and a low-carbon Lake District before they even get started. Instead, we are urging the LDNPA to stick to its plans and policies and follow the lead of Snowdonia National Park in implementing them. “Traffic, parking issues and carbon emissions continue to rise and it is imperative that we do not undermine the opportunity for a more sustainable future by continuing with a business-as-usual ad-hoc approach to the localised parking problems that impact on many of our communities.” The car park at Ullock Moss was first in operation during summer 2020 under ‘permitted development’ rules. These normally allow land to be used for car parking without planning permission for 28 days. However, this was extended to 56 days in light of COVID-19 as an emergency measure in response to the influx of visitors experienced when lockdown #1 was lifted. Several temporary car parks were created in the open countryside under the relaxation of these rules. Many in opposition to the Ullock Moss proposal want the LDNPA to send a clear message that proposals to make permanent any temporary car parks allowed under the currently relaxed permitted development rules will not automatically be looked upon favourably and will require the same scrutiny as any other new proposal under the strict criteria set out in the Local Plan. Comments on the proposal can be submitted to the Lake District National Park Authority via its website until the 5th March. You’ll find details of the application by searching for application reference number 7/2020/2291 at www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/planning/planning-application-search-tool
Summary of our comments on this proposal: Cat Bells - Ullock Moss Car Park Proposals A summary of our comment to date on this proposal. This may help to inform your response and the content of your letter to the planning authority Expand 4th February 2021 Like many people, we fully recognise the ongoing and growing issues relating to parking and vehicle numbers in the Portinscale and Catbells area, and the need to address these. While a new car park might seem the obvious response to parking problems, the proposed 150-space car park for Cat Bells at Ullock Moss, south of Portinscale, near Keswick, is not an appropriate solution for a number of reasons. Key reasons we have taken this approach are: The Lake District National Park Authority’s (LDNPA) own clearly stated vision for sustainable transport in the national park hinges on reducing car-based visits and use of more sustainable modes of travel to, from and around the national park. A new car park in open countryside will undermine this plan. The LDNPA’s own planning policies (current and proposed) require that new car parks are only permitted when they are a proven and integral part of a strategic plan for sustainable travel in the area and meet certain other criteria. This proposal is not part of a strategic plan and does not meet the other criteria. The proposal will necessitate and encourage cars to travel through Portinscale village, exacerbating rather than helping to resolve issues there. The proposal is reliant on some measures being agreed and implemented by other parties and there is no assurance of this. A new car park and shuttle bus terminus would not conserve and enhance the character and special qualities and attributes of the National Park and World Heritage Site, including tranquillity, as is required by planning policy and legislation. We have set these out in our letter of objection to the plans and urge our members and supporters to do the same. You can read it here: Ullock Moss response (pdf) Comments on the proposal can be made to the Lake District National Park Authority until the 5th March. Please quote application reference number 7/2020/2291. Further instructions for commenting on planning proposals are available here. 20th January 2021 Before Christmas a planning application was submitted to the Lake District National Park for a new car park at Ullock Moss, south of Portinscale, close to Catbells. The area had been used for temporary parking last summer. The applicants had carried out some pre-application consultation at the time and we made our concerns clear at the time which can be seen in our initial response.Members and supporters may wish to look at and comment on the application. Comments can be accepted up until the 5th March. The application can be viewed on the Park Authority website.Follow this link and enter planning reference number 7/2020/2291 in the search box to view the latest information for this proposal on the Park Authority website. 29th July 2020 We have today submitted a written response to the consultation Ullock Moss, Portinscale Car Park. We very much welcome the principle of managing the situation around access to Catbells and in principle may support the idea of park and ride type proposals. However, we think there are a number of issues around this particular location. Read our full response here> 29th June 2020 A pre application consultation is being carried out by Crosby Granger Architects for a proposed car park at Ullock Moss, Portinscale. We think the proposal raises concerns around the principle of a car park at this location, how this fits with planning policy and potential landscape impacts upon the site and its surroundings. We will be looking carefully at the proposal and responding accordingly. The link below provides information on the proposal and a link to survey monkey for your views. The consultation runs until 31 July. https://www.crosbygrangerarchitects.co.uk/ullockmoss/