Roanhead Lodge DevelopmentUpdate February 2024 - revised planning application received for Roanhead After huge opposition to plans for a 450-lodge holiday resort at Roanhead, the developers have now changed their application, reducing the number of lodges to 233. Our view is that the development would still have a major impact on this sensitive stretch of coastline, despite the reduction in the planned number of lodges. Please help us object again - previous responses won't count. Read our latest response (Feb 2024) here, and the Appendix here Update January 2024 After withdrawing their initial application in December 2023, the developers have submitted a new application for a reduced number of lodges (233). The size of the accompanying holiday complex facilities remains the same. Read our previous July 2023 response here and a review of the Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment here Roanhead Update 27 September 2023 We are aware that a further proposal on land adjacent the 450-lodge Roanhead development is afoot. It comprises 62 lodges, 40 touring caravan/motorhome/ camper pitches and visitor facilities.At this stage, it is a screening request, meaning the landowner/developer Queensland County Park Ltd. is just asking for Westmorland & Furness Council’s view on whether an Environmental Impact Assessment would be required for such a proposal. We continue to work with other relevant organisations and the local community, including the Save Roanhead group, and will give further updates, once we have had chance to see the proposals and consider next steps – we will need to carefully consider the relationship between this and the larger proposal already under consideration. Roanhead Farm development risks irreparable harm to nature We've joined forces with a coalition of nature and landscape charities to object to a serious threat to the internationally significant nature reserve at Sandscale Haws and wider Morecambe Bay and Duddon estuary. Read more> Make a Stand on the Sand for Roanhead event makes the News Our Make a Stand in the Sand event yesterday attracted 80 protestors, to save Roanhead from a 450 holiday lodge development right next to the National Trust Sandscale Haws nature reserve and many other protected sites for nature attracted 80 plus protesters and featured on BBC North West Tonight news. We also leafletted nearby housing about it. Thanks to everyone who turned out for it. It was great to meet so many people and see how passionately concerned people are about the proposal. If you agree that this wild place needs saving, please write to object before 23 July. Read our guide to how to do it: https://friendsofthelakedistrict.org.uk/roanhead Watch the North West Tonight news feature about it. Sign up for regular e-news updates about this campaign and our work in Cumbria and the Lake District. Follow us on Social Media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram 450-Lodge Resort Development At Roanhead A proposal for a 450-lodge holiday resort and facilities at Roanhead, between Barrow and Askam-in-Furness, threatens a stretch of coastline where there are multiple protected sites for nature as well as expansive views to the Lake District fells. This area is popular with local people for quiet recreation, including walking and bird-watching. The proposal will harm the quality and experience of recreational opportunities, compromise the landscape, including tranquillity, and put pressure on the sensitive dune and intertidal habitats. The proposal is heavily reliant on access by car and there will also be impacts on the narrow local roads. We fully recognise the need for regeneration in Barrow and for new jobs and opportunities to be brought to the area. We also understand the attractiveness of this coastal landscape. However, this proposal is not appropriate for this site for a number of reasons: Impact on landscape character, including tranquillity Visual impact Light pollution impacts on dark skies and biodiversity Impact on species and habitats Impact on enjoyment by local people of an important, much-valued and accessible recreational resource Traffic impacts on narrow local roads and a lack of sustainable transport Instability of the land which is littered with former mine workings and have resulted in a number of sink holes opening up locally, including in recent years Instead, new development should be focused on regenerating the town centre and brownfield sites and should be readily served by public transport. For more news and the latest updates: Sign up for regular e-news updates. Join us to find out more about our work. Follow us on Social Media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Banner image: Roanhead, Sandscale Haws, Walney and the Duddon seen from Black Combe, by Chris Howe Home Response GUIDANCE What We Could LOSE What We Can DO Share Your VIEWS Timeline and FAQs What We Could LOSE The proposed development, which includes 233 holiday lodges, along with a range of other facilities and attractions, could accommodate around 1000 people at any one time. This assumes 4 guests per lodge - although this could easily be higher, with people often holidaying in larger groups, and some lodges accommodating more than 4. The area is accessible and popular with local people for quiet recreation, including walking, horse-riding and bird-watching. It is part of the England Coast Path route and the route of several Public Rights of Way. The development itself, along with the huge numbers of people and vehicles will harm the quality and experience of these recreational opportunities, compromise the landscape character including tranquillity and dark skies, and put pressure on the sensitive dune and intertidal habitats. The proposal is heavily reliant on access by car and there will also be impacts on the narrow local roads. The proposed development site sits next to Sandscale Haws, a National Nature Reserve and would extend into the Duddon Estuary Site of Special Scientific Interest, Duddon Estuary Ramsar Site, Morecambe Bay Special Area of Conservation and the Morecambe Bay & Duddon Estuary Special Protection Area. The site also includes an area of Ancient Woodland. Image: Sand dunes, Roanhead, credit Sam Lacey Sandscale Haws is a dune habitat owned and managed by the National Trust that supports rare and protected wildlife and has panoramic views of the Lakeland fells. The dune grasslands support a rich flora including the very rare Dune Helleborine and it is a significant area for Natterjack Toads. Sandscale Haws supports one quarter of the national population of the rare amphibian, which is only found at a few other sites in the UK. There are also migratory bird populations of international importance, including Pintail, Red Knot and Common Redshank. Over 20,000 wintering waterfowl can be seen regularly. Image: Natterjack toad, credit Ian Brodie The Duddon Estuary Site of Special Scientific Interest, Duddon Estuary Ramsar Site, Morecambe Bay Special Area of Conservation and the Morecambe Bay & Duddon Estuary Special Protection Area are all internationally important wildlife designations. They are designated for their rare, endangered, migratory and large numbers of birds and their supporting habitats. Image: The very rare coralroot orchid, for which Sandscale Haws is the major English site, easily trampled in the dune slacks, credit Ian Brodie The site and surrounding area currently enjoy dark skies but a huge increase in lighting in the area will erode this darkness. Light pollution affects biodiversity as well as well as landscape character, views and tranquility. Find out more about dark skies www.darkskiescumbria.org.uk For more news and the latest updates: Sign up for regular e-news updates Follow us on Social Media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Manage Cookie Preferences