Road fears raised over new caravan park plans
GoogleFears over "dangerous" traffic levels have been raised by residents opposed to plans for a 100-caravan holiday park on the edge of a national park.
Michael Paul Consultancy has submitted plans for the development on agricultural land near Whitbarrow Farm between Penrith and Keswick in Cumbria.
Objections highlighted concerns about unsustainable levels of congestion and potential risks from increased traffic on narrow Lake District roads.
Documents submitted in support of the application to Westmorland and Furness Council claimed the surrounding roads were "good and provide quick and easy access" to the nearby A66.
If approved, timber-clad caravans would be installed on a 10-hectare parcel of land.
Each pitch would have space for two cars and plans include a cycle hire hub to "encourage sustainable transport in the local area", which is close to the C2C cycle route.
'Struggling to cope'
Jenna Trelease, who was among the residents objecting to the plans, said: "The narrow road cannot support that amount of traffic.
"The increased traffic not only results in potholes but is dangerous to local pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders."
Roy Noble, who lives nearby, said the road needed "a lot more passing places".
Another resident said she was concerned about the site being too close to the Lake District National Park, which was "already struggling to cope with the amount of people visiting each year".
The company behind the plans said the site could be used "more intensively", with up to 350 caravans, however it chose to keep the proposal to 100.
"[This] is more in keeping with the local area and the ethos of the proposed site," the firm said.