OBJECTIONS have been raised after plans were revealed to shut down an outdoor education centre used by generations of children.
The Holker Group has submitted the plan, relating to the Humphrey Head Activity Centre on the Cartmel Peninsula, to build 18 luxury holiday lodges.
The Humphrey Head site is currently run by Mere Mountains as an outdoor education and training centre with bunk accommodation for young people.
The planning statement by The Holker Groups said the centre had become a victim of the Covid pandemin.
"The site was closed to patrons for nearly two years by the Covid-19 rules and suffered financially accordingly," it said.
"It is currently functioning on a very short-term rolling tenure basis following the natural demise of a longer historical leasehold.
"The infrastructure buildings are dated, somewhat jerry-built (particularly the foundations to the main hut), and in need of substantial investment to bring them up to modern standards and expectations, if indeed it can be achieved.
As landowner and landlord, the Holker Group does not have the core skills, competencies or ambition to operate an Outward Bound Centre, it said.
"Nor would it invest in a known financially unviable venture," said the report.
"The Holker Group would like to retain the site and repurpose it as a high-quality bespoke holiday park."
Fiona Hanlon, Independent South Lakeland District Councillor for Grange, has signed a petition objecting to the plans.
"The Holker Group does very well out the multitude of businesses and properties they own in the area, and while I don't decry that, this was their one chance to put something back into the community," she said.
"The facility at Humphrey Head is vital to young people from far and wide.
"In term time it is predominantly an outdoor education centre for schools, colleges and groups focusing on environmental activities, a far cry from luxury lodges with guests who won't prioritise this very special landscape.
"It would be more over-development on a peninsula overflowing with sewage and vehicles."
An employee of Mere Mountains, who works at the Humphrey Head site, who wishes to remain anonymous, has also voiced their support for the petition objecting to the plans:
"There was notification on Friday from the land agent that Holker Estates is applying for planning permission this week," said the employee.
"Verbally the agent said it is for 'Change of Use from an Ex-Outdoor Education Centre to a Caravan site for 18 units of two-part Timber Lodges'.
"We are not an ex-centre and we have bookings in for the next year and more.
"We were aware that this may be on the cards after the owners' lease was up for renewal during Covid.
"We are on limestone pavement and adjacent to a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and nature reserve, but apparently this does not matter.
"We are hoping to be able to get support from the local community, the user groups and those in outdoor education to object to this change of usage.
"While Mere Mountains can continue to operate whatever the outcome of the planning decision, Humphrey Head Centre could easily be demolished and replaced by a more profitable caravan site for luxury lodges.
"It is an absolute travesty to lose any residential facility that enables school children, youth groups, National Citizen Service, Princes Trust and families to experience the countryside, adventure activities and communal residential living, all of which are in more demand than ever post-Covid.
"Humphrey Head is a remote, and largely un-spoilt location on a peninsula on the coast on the edge of the Lake District.
"It is away from most distractions and noise, albeit in an old building, (wooden - which we at Mere Mountains have made considerable improvements to in the last few years) which has been serving children and young people as a 'get away' venue since 1906 and an outdoor centre since about 1953.
"We have no modern high ropes elements or zip wires - we just engage with the environment as it is."
The Holker Group have also submitted a separate change of use application for a 0.9-hectare piece of land comprising a former sewage treatment compound and part-adjacent camping and caravanning site' that is part of Cartmel Racecourse.
The proposals again seek to re-purpose the land into "18 twin unit lodges of timber appearance for holiday letting purposes".
The planning statement says: "The Holker Group owns and operates the renowned Cartmel Racecourse that makes a significant positive contribution to the identity and prosperity of Cartmel.
"In order to maintain a competitive advantage and be able to offer the most attractive of marketing packages the racecourse would like to offer integral high-quality overnight accommodation."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel