PLANS for holiday lodges at a former livery business at Winscales, near Workington, have been given the go-ahead.

Gino Paileta applied for planning permission to put up 15 lodges, an office, shop and associated buildings next to the existing stables building at Cumberland Lodge.

Previous plans for 100 caravans and later for 49 lodges were turned down because of their potential impacts on the open countryside.

Since the last application was refused in 2009 there have been significant changes to planning policy nationally and locally. That now supports sustainable economic development in rural areas.

Allerdale council’s development panel heard that there was already planning permission in place for a hotel at the Cumberland Lodge site, which remained current as token work had begun on it.

Councillor Adrian Davis-Johnston raised concerns that the lodges could end up being used by contractors working on major development project rather than holidaymakers.

Planning officers confirmed that proposed planning conditions should prevent that happening.

Four holiday units have already been created in the vacant stable block, following planning permission granted in 2013.

The meeting heard it was hoped that a livery business would return to the site alongside the tourism business.

Councillor Malcolm Grainger proposed approval of the plans, seconded by Councillor Carole Armstrong.

Members voted unanimously in favour.

An attenuation pond is planned as part of the scheme to prevent the development increasing water run off to a nearby beck.