A LANDSCAPE charity has said a planned luge track in the Eden Valley would have a 'significant' impact on the tranquility of the area.

The group Friends of the Lake District has raised concerns about the plans for a luge track, chair lift and associated buildings to be erected on Blaze Fell.

The plans have been submitted by Daniel Holder, owner of the Quiet Site at Ullswater, and Cumbrian businessman Charles Lowther, who envisage that the downhill woodland track providing a 'thrilling ride' in gravity-powered carts will attract around 1,900 visitors daily.

Submitting an official response to the plans to Eden District Council, Lorayne Wall, planning officer for Friends of the Lake District said: “The proposal would have a significant impact on views and the character of the landscape in the area, its tranquility, and its wildlife.

"The traffic generated by such a major development is also a real concern.

"We could support such developments if they were sited sympathetically, in appropriate locations - tourism is of course so important to Cumbria - but as we have seen with similar proposals, there appears to be a lack of regard for the landscape, communities or the impact on local infrastructure when developers select sites for such large-scale projects.

“We are supporting members of the local community in challenging this application and would like to thank all of those who have already taken the time to submit their own comments to Eden District Council.”

The Friends of the Lake District claim that the development will 'compromise' the landscape characteristics identified in the Cumbria Landscape Character Guidance and Toolkit, 'clutter the landscape with vertical infrastructure', impact on tranquility and not be very accessible by public transport.

When announcing the project, Mr Holder said: "It will be carbon neutral, energy positive, community positive, ecology positive, zero waste, have no visual impact and little transport impact.”

At a recent meeting with the community at Armathwaite Old School Hall, he added: "The development of a luge track in the UK is an exciting project.

"It will be popular both locally and nationally with locals benefitting from initial complimentary and ongoing discounted rides.

"In addition, schools will be offered discounted visits for science classes engaging in subjects such as gravity, friction, kinetic and potential energy."

The official deadline for comments is currently October 27 and no decision is expected until at least November 18.