NEW facilities could be coming to a Lake District village in a bid to manage the expected increase in the number of visitors after the return of Bluebird to the Ruskin Museum.

Phil Johnston has lodged a planning application with the Lake District National Park Authority for the creation of a new coach and car park, bus stop with a shelter and toilets, as well as e-bike hire, on Lands Field off Yewdale Road in Coniston.

Proposals include the creation of 70 car parking spaces with five accessible spaces, six coach parking spaces and six bays for electric vehicle charging.

The design and access statement says the need for additional coach and car parking in Coniston is ‘long established’ and recognised by both the Lake District National Park Authority and the parish council.

“The return of Bluebird is expected to lead to a significant increase in visitors to the Ruskin Museum, which currently does not have any dedicated parking, therefore the need for further public parking is even more acute”, it adds.

Previous planning applications for a car park on Lands Field have been refused with an application for 100 car parking spaces being turned down in 2017 due to ‘impact’ on the landscape.

Another application in 2021 was refused by the LDNPA and a subsequent appeal was dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate due to the impact on the landscape and the view the scheme failed to demonstrate how the car park facilitates the transfer of people to sustainable transport.

Now, the applicant has proposed the inclusion of a bus stop but confirmation that it would be used would be required from the relevant operator, planning documents state.

E-bike hire facilities and information about walking routes are also proposed in plans to facilitate sustainable transport.

The car park will also offer a single tariff for parking all day in a bid to encourage long stays so visitors will either stay in the village, use the site as a base for walking or use public transport to travel elsewhere.

According to planning documents, the applicant proposes planting 130 trees throughout the site and creating an apple orchard to deliver a biodiversity net gain of 46 per cent.

The planning application is being considered by the Lake District National Park Authority.