A leading landscape and environmental charity says a new car park near Portinscale is not an “appropriate or acceptable” solution to address traffic issues in the area.
Friends of the Lake District said it was concerned that plans for the car park at Ullock Moss will set an unwelcome precedent for the area.
Michael Anderton has submitted a planning application for the proposed 150-space off-road car park, bike hire shop and toilet block, to the Lake District National Park Authority.
But, in a statement, Friends of the Lake District said: “The proposal has polarised an argument between an urgent need for parking and pressing traffic problems at the foot of the popular Catbells walk and the Lake District National Park Authority’s own vision for Smarter Travel in the Lake District.”
The charity claims that the proposal is in direct conflict with the Lake District National Park Authority’s own planning policies relating to the location of new car parks and when they would be allowed.
However, Mr Anderton was given permission for a temporary car park on the land last year.
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.
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 one was lifted. Several temporary car parks were created in the open countryside under the relaxation of these rules.
People can comment on the application until March 5 and it will be considered by the Lake District National Park Authority later this year.