A VERDICT will be given on a bid to site 38 holiday lodges in Dalston, diversifying a caravan park's offering.

Carlisle City Council’s development panel is set to meet on Friday August 5, deciding on a bid to site 38 holiday lodges.

The lodges at Dalston Hall Caravan Park will be used for a 12 month season and each come with their own parking spaces.

Plans have been met with a mixed reaction as some believe it will be a tourism and business boost in the area, while others see it as damaging to the character of the area.

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Following the publication of a public notice, 10 objections and eight comments of support have been received.

Concerns raised by residents include that the lodges are "not of timber construction and have standard appearance of static caravans which would be an alien feature out of context with setting of listed building."

However, one resident said: "following the last 2 years of lost earnings due to closure the whole village would welcome the boost the extension to the caravan park would bring."

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Objectors have questioned the accuracy of the heritage statement, one said that the "application site is visible from the two towers of Dalston Hall with any development at the caravan park adversely affecting the setting of the listed building."

However, one supporter said: "this is tourism beyond the Lake District and would bring more tourists to the area to help secure all local businesses futures."

Cumbria County Council as highways and lead flood authority has raised no objections to the application and Dalston Parish Council do not wish to make any representations.

Environmental Protection has raised no objections but advised an updated licence for the additional pitches.

The case officer has recommended that approval is given for the holiday lodges, providing the developer can find a satisfactory solution to the issue of nutrient neutrality.

A number of councils have accepted the recommendations of Natural England on net neutrality, ensuring that no development begins before ensuring it will not contribute to an increase in the release of nutrients into the environment.

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