THE owners of land proposed for a controversial new lodge resort near Barrow have spoken about why they want the development to come to the area.

The Roanhead Lodge Resort Development would see holiday lodges and leisure facilities created on 53 hectares at Roanhead Farm, with developers promising it will bring a major economic boost to the area.

Brothers Terry and Jimmy Curtis, who have lived and farmed the land for much of their lives, have reflected on the land's history and why they think the resort would be a positive.

"When we came here it was all broken land," Jimmy Curtis, 76, said.

"There was only one field that was mowable. There were railway lines here, there and everywhere. 

"We grubbed them all out, apart from the original Roanhead line as they called it, which goes all the way through to Askam."

"We spent our life farming here, retired 15 years or so ago and decided to do something for the area,” Jimmy said.

“We've grown up with this view.

"Now, this is for our kids and grandkids, and all the other youngun's around.”

Terry said: “The gates will be open, anyone can come and use the facilities, from Askam, from Barrow, from Dalton.

“It's given us a good living. A hard living, but a good living. Now it's time for it to provide a living for a lot more people, especially young people around here.

“At one time when the mines were going it would have employed hundreds of people. That all went and now we’re hoping it will come back.”

The Mail: A sketch of the proposed resort at Roanhead Farm

A century-old map of the land, presented to Terry and Jimmy's father and uncle, John and James Curtis after they purchased Roanhead Farm in 1965, shows the iron ore mines Nigel, Rita and Burlington which supplied the shipbuilding industry.

At the time, Nigel was one of the largest and deepest mines in the world with 11 million tons extracted between the 1850s and its closure in 1942. The legacy of the mines is now two large ponds.

With the land reinstated, the Curtis family began a dairy farm with 30 cows, building the herd over the years to a total head of 200 when Jimmy and Terry retired in 2008.

Planning permission is being sought for the site for 450 lodges developed in phases.

Analysis shared by the developers by UK economic development firm Hatch claims the resort could generate a net impact of £59.1 million from direct employment to the area over the next ten years.

Gross visitor spend over the same period is estimated to be in the region of £202 million, according to the study, of which £167 million would be in Barrow and the Furness Peninsula.

The resort will be designed and will operate in line with principles of low carbon and sustainability and would secure a substantial biodiversity net gain, the developers claim.

A destination management plan - recommended by Visit England and in line with Government policy - would also be implemented to help balance the experience of visitors with the need to conserve the special qualities of the area.

The proposal is likely to attract droves of people objecting to plans before they are voted on by Westmorland and Furness Council.

Thousands of people have signed a petition opposing the resort amid concern over its potential impact on the surrounding environment and wildlife.

Campaigners Save Roanhead, alongside conservation group Friends of the Lake District, are fighting the proposal, which is out for public consultation.