A new toilet block and visitor centre is set to be built at a Pooley Bridge car park despite objections.
Members of the Lake District National Park Authority’s development control committee are due to consider the application at a meeting at Murley Moss, near Kendal, on Wednesday.
The application is for a site on land next to Eusemere car park in the village and it is for the extension of the existing car park and the building of a public toilet block and information centre.
It is recommended that the matter should be delegated to the authority’s head of development management for approval, subject to a satisfactory legal agreement.
According to the report at the time of publication the authority had received objection letters from 35 people, a 222-signature petition of objection and 18 letters of support for the proposal.
Objections included an assertion that there is no need for additional car parking and existing facilities, including that behind the Sun Inn and at Waterfoot, are sufficient unless on exceptionally busy days – in addition car parking problems are often due to people not wanting to pay to park.
Other objections included:
- More car parking will just encourage more visitors, Pooley Bridge is full. The business of the village causes disruption to residents’ lives;
- The proposals would increase congestion in the village and place too much pressure on a tiny junction;
- Alternative transport options should be pursued instead;
- Coach bays would increase congestion and risk of accidents in the village;
- There is no need for a visitor centre or additional public toilets, there are enough already;
- The proposals would add to noise and air pollution from car engines and the effect on residential amenity has not been considered;
- Drains/sewage works are not adequate to cater for additional load from additional toilets;
- The proposals would encroach on the privacy of private dwellings. The toilet block would affect the amenity of residents 20m away;
- There should not be building on beautiful green sites, destroying the very thing that lovers of the Lake District come to visit;
- The development would have an adverse effect on River Eamont SAC/SSSI via beck adjacent to site, including salmon spawning, and crayfish;
and there is likely to be an increase in noise and litter.
However, the supporters raised a number of points including that people struggled to find a parking space; the proposal would be conveniently located near the village centre and will enable increased tourist spending it would bring safety benefits and the proposed toilet building and EV charging points were much needed.
The report said: “Eusemere car park is an established public car park located close to the bridge in Pooley Bridge. It is owned and operated by the Lake District National Park Authority.
“This application relates to land to the south of the car park that is owned by the applicant, and lies beyond, but accessed through land owned by the authority.
“The application proposes an extension of public parking with associated facilities, toilets, information centre and electric vehicle charging.
“Landscaping in the form of planted bunds and other screening within and around the car parking area is proposed. The submitted proposals show space for 90 cars including 12 EV charging bays and six disabled spaces.”
