Campaigners are calling for a review of the Lake District National Park Authority’s “outdated” car park policies following a ruling which spells the end of the road for a well-used site near Pooley Bridge.
The appeal decision, published on Monday, means the popular Waterfoot car park’s days are numbered — with the planning inspector ruling in favour of an LDNPA enforcement notice to be upheld following a public inquiry.
Car park co-owner Ronald Richardson, who had appealed against the move to shut the site down, now has six months before it has to be turned back into a field.
Supporters of the car park have accused the LDNPA of being “completely out of touch” with local opinion over the stance it has taken by seeking enforcement action to permanently stop the use of the land as a car park.
“When we went to the public inquiry there wasn’t a single voice raised in opposition. The Friends of the Lake District objected, but they didn’t turn up and all the speakers were in favour of keeping it,” said Miles MacInnes, chairman of Barton and Pooley Bridge Parish Council.
He described the decision by the inspector to dismiss the appeal as “exceptionally disappointing”.
“We are bound by it, but surely the time has come for the LDNPA to review its policies regarding vehicles and parking throughout the national park,” said Mr MacInnes.
He said 20 million people visit the national park each year and if the park authority wanted to encourage people out of their cars, they must have somewhere to park them.
Having parking spaces available to serve Pooley Bridge is also said to be essential to keep its businesses thriving and to safeguard the 150 jobs they provide.
“The Ullswater Steamers carry about 300,000 passengers a year, and although they do not all go into Pooley Bridge, many of them want to, but if they can’t find a parking place they will just drive on to Glenridding,” said Mr MacInnes.
“The application was supported by all six parishes in the Ullswater Valley and had overwhelming support from the community, visitors and lake users. The LDNPA should take account of, and respect, the opinions of those who live and work in the national park.
“Although the site is in open countryside, it could easily be landscaped to minimise its intrusion and the practical issues raised by the inspector, such as access to the village and steamer pier, could be easily resolved.”
Mr MacInnes added that under a democratic system, the LDNPA should “listen to the people” and said there should be an opportunity to amend outdated policies.
“I think the campaign should be to get them to change their policies. Parking is a huge problem and it is not going to go away,” he said.
Martin Robinson, part-owner of Waterfoot car park, said: “In the appeal, we demonstrated its widespread, local support as well as support from incoming tourists.
“This is a good site — there is not enough parking close to Pooley Bridge and its location means that the traffic does not actually have to come into the village. It is well used by regular visitors to the village and for parking for the steamers or the sustainable bus. We had planned to screen the site from the road with additional planting.
“Throughout the process we have wanted to work with the Lake District National Park to address any reservations that they had. I think this result shows that the planning board are not listening to what locals and visitors want.
“I hope that in the future they take more notice of local opinion. Thank you to everyone who helped us try to appeal the planning decision. I am disappointed we are not able to remain open as this is so beneficial to the area and something that local people supported. The car park will remain open for the summer before it will be removed under the enforcement notice.”
An LDNPA spokeswoman said: “A car park was permitted temporarily at Waterfoot whilst Pooley Bridge bridge was rebuilt after Storm Desmond. It was proposed that the car park would be removed after works were completed. The car park would not have been allowed otherwise. Instead a permanent pay and display car park was unlawfully created. A planning application to retain the car park was refused. We served an enforcement notice requiring the landowner to remove the unlawful car park. The landowner lodged an appeal. Following a public inquiry their appeal has been dismissed.
“We welcome the inspector’s decision. He agreed with us that this permanent car park is unlawful and unacceptable. He agreed with us that the car park is harmful to the character and appearance of the area, finding it entirely inconsistent with its setting, destroying the gateway into the stunning Ullswater valley.
“He also agreed with us that this unlawful car park could create unsafe highway conditions for pedestrians and other users who may see no option but to walk along the 60mph road into Pooley Bridge in the absence of a connecting path which is suitable for everyone.
“It is disappointing that original assurances the car park would be temporary were disregarded.
“This has meant securing legal compliance by formal enforcement action to remove this unlawful pay and display car park at taxpayers’ expense. Had the rules simply been followed this would not have been necessary. We hope the enforcement notice will be complied with and the car park removed, as it was originally said would happen.”
