THE director of Queensland Country Park defended his application to build a site at Roanhead after a campaign group said they would 'step up immediately' in opposition to the plans. 

Peter Thompson, 61, submitted an application to build a 'sustainable leisure retreat' on land off Hawthwaite Lane in Roanhead. 

Mr Thompson, who owns acres of land in the area, said: "I'm trying to restore it all, I'm trying to re-wild it. 

"Trouble is, most people won't believe it."

According to plans lodged with Westmorland and Furness Council, the proposed development would consist of 23 holiday lodges, 10 glamping pods, 24 caravan/motorhome pitches, a facilities building, an amenity block and a booking office.

He said that out of the 210 acres of land he owns, around 13 acres will go to the development, with the rest being restored to nature. 

Mr Thompson raised no objection to plans for what would be the neighbouring ILM site, but said 'I prefer smaller sites.' 

In terms of the infrastructure required for the site Mr Thompson said that they are 'looking to keep it as autonomous as possible' by installing solar panels on the roofs. 

The Queensland Country Park website states the company is a gold award winner of the David Bellamy Award for Conservation, due to planting thousands of trees. They operate a site near Blackpool, and Mr Thompson said he runs another site in the Lake District which he shares with his family. 

"I plant trees and repair nature - that is what I do on a daily basis," Mr Thompson said. "So far I have ordered about 10,000 trees for planting in October and November in land in Roanhead."

Mr Thompson said that the lodges will be on screw foundations, and there will be a void underneath that will not be sealed off. "You don't have to damage the environment to put them in," he said. 

Save Roanhead disagrees. Founder Kelly Holland said: "Caravan pitches, leisure retreat, eco lodges - it doesn't matter how a development is badged at Roanhead. We believe the council has no option but to listen to the many thousand objections from residents, local businesses, and statutory organisation's by rejecting any development work (plural) from the start.

"We are stepping up our awareness campaign immediately."

A spokesperson from the campaign team said: "Any development at Roanhead conflicts fundamentally with Barrow’s Local Plan; written specifically to protect the wildlife and people of Furness."