A new masterplan for the Penrith Beacon has been greeted with fears that it will harm the area.
Campaign group Friends of the Penrith Beacon was formed in 2018 following attempts by Eden Council to create a masterplan for the town which included provision for mixed use development including low density housing within the forest.
Now the group fears that plans to build 40 holiday lodges in the disused Beacon quarry would cause “significant detriment” to the local community.
Sarah Hiscoke, of the Friends group, said they were aware that the future of the Beacon was in question following an attempt being made by Penrith Town Council to secure it special protection within its neighbourhood plan for the area.
But before the Penrith neighbourhood development plan can start influencing planning policy it must first be passed by an inspector – and the issue of the Beacon is again proving to be a thorny one.
Landowners the Lowther Estate Trust and Lonsdale Settled Estate have responded to questions posed by the inspector by drawing up a masterplan which includes the building of 40 holiday lodges.
As well as the lodges, which would be built in two phases, there would also be an on-site warden’s lodge together with a visitor reception.
Visitor accommodation car parks, complete with electric vehicle charging points, would be located next to existing tracks from which visitors would walk to their lodges.
These lodges would be classed as static caravans with a log cabin design in order to assimilate with the surroundings, says a report to the inspector compiled by Stansgate Planning on behalf of the landowner.
“Although not marked on the masterplan, there is scope for a new public car park located near to Stagstones Road,” the report adds.
Ms Hiscoke said: “Lowther have now responded to the examiner with details of their current plan.
“At present, these involve a phase one and two of development, with the building of 40 holiday lodges, warden accommodation, reception, management facilities, a car-park and the necessary supporting infrastructure.
“If this goes ahead in the forest, we believe it would cause significant detriment to our local community, impacting this haven of tranquillity and nature, damaging its diverse plants and wildlife.
“Three years ago, the people of Penrith and district resoundingly rejected the Eden Masterplan which contained proposals to allow Lowther to develop within the forest.
“At that time, Lowther acknowledged the community’s feelings by withdrawing from the Masterplan, so it is very disappointing to hear that they have new plans to build in the forest.
“We understand the matter now rests with the examiner. We hope that he recognises how important this forest is to local residents and that he will favour a neighbourhood plan which protects the forest as much as possible.”
Penrith Town Council want Beacon Hill to become a “protected landscape feature” in its neighbourhood development plan.
It is said to be a valued and prominent local landmark.
The draft policy stated: “Any new development will only be permitted when it clearly demonstrates that it conserves and enhances the area’s existing landscape, character and function of this important woodland area.”
However, the report says the policy would frustrate the aspirations of the landowner to undertake tourist accommodation and facilities anywhere at Beacon Hill, in particular land to the east identified by the landowners as suitable for such development.
The matter is set to be discussed at a meeting of Penrith Town Council’s planning committee on Monday.
