Landmark plans for a 150-space car park, toilets and bike facilities near Portinscale, Keswick, have been thrown out this morning by the Lake District National Park Authority.
Officers had recommended approval for the scheme in order to crack unacceptable car parking problems throughout the area which had created a serious highways safety issue.
But it was refused by the development control committee in Kendal which voted 5-2 against the plan suggested by Michael Anderton of Lingholm Private Trust.
It had included a shuttle bus facility down the road at Cupboard Field in the foothills of Catbells, which Mr Atherton described as the “right solution” to the parking chaos after 18 years of discussion about the problem.
The meeting also heard how a lack of toilets in the area had led to walkers being forced to use the fells as a latrine.
But opponents had viewed the scheme as setting a worrying precedent for the development of large commercial car parks in other Lake District valleys, and that other options needed to be exhausted first before opening the door to enticing more vehicles into the rural area.
The committee decided the “benefits did not outweigh the harm” with committee chairman Geoff Davies agreeing with a proposal by panel member Hugh Branney that it be refused.
Mr Branney told the meeting that as soon as word got round that there was a major new car park at Portinscale, all 150-spaces would be filled and those who could not get in would then fly-park.
Mr Branney said: “There are so many objections I think we listen to what other organisations are saying. Car parks attract more cars – it’s a given. And once it’s full, what happens to the traffic left over?”
It emerged at the meeting that opponents to the plan had submitted a “lengthy” 11th hour legal challenge which included a submission from a barrister challenging many aspects of the planning officer’s recommendation to approve.
Campaigners against the plans said of the decision said they were not anti car park but “pro sustainable traffic management”.
“We’re delighted that all of our hard work in bringing the legal flaws in the application and the negative effect this development would have had on the village have been recognised and endorsed by the members of the LDNPA planning committee,” said a spokesman.
Mr Anderton has been contacted for comment.
