A PETITION opposing a proposal to build a holiday resort with around 450 lodges in the Furness area has been set up. 

The extensive facility, which could feature a restaurant, gym, pool and children's petting farm, would be built on around 550,000 sq metres of land at Roanhead Farm, close to Askam. 

Andrew Coutts, chief executive of developer ILM Group, previously said the £100m resort would be a 'great place' for people to play sports, have parties and use 'state-of-the-art leisure facilities'.

But an online petition on change.org is opposing the plan, saying it would have 'devastating consequences' for wildlife. 

View the petition here

The preamble to the document, which was set up by Kelly Atkinson, stresses the importance of the Roanhead area to the rare Natterjack Toad.

It also says Roanhead is home to 'many rare plant species' and that the holiday resort development 'needs to be prevented'.

On Friday afternoon, 350 people had signed the petition.

Among those to express their support in the comments below it is Geertje Baugh, who says: "This is a precious habitat for local wildlife which is already under a lot of pressure. 

"Once it's gone, it's gone forever."

Keith Myers says the development would 'devastate' the tranquillity of the area.

"Roanhead has been a sanctuary for locals for as long as I can remember," he says. 

Barbara Pilon says the resort would 'wreck the peace and nature of Roanhead'.

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"We have no shops or entertainment for visitors to the area," she says.

"Leave Roanhead for local people and nature."

A scoping report submitted by environmental consultancy firm enzygo says the layout of the scheme would include 'several' breeding ponds for Natterjack Toads.

"Certain areas of grassland will be maintained as a low sward, favoured by foraging and commuting Natterjacks," it says.

"Opportunities to create resting places, hibernacula and sandy burrowing sites beneath certain lodges are also being explored."

The report says the plan would involve tree, shrub and hedgerow planting.

An outline application for the resort is set to be submitted to Barrow Council.