PLANS have been lodged to restore a natural habitat in south Cumbria.

Cumbria Wildlife Trust has submitted a planning application to Westmorland and Furness Council to restore the peat bog and river habitat at Burns Beck Moss Nature Reserve in Killington.

According to planning documents, the proposed works involve the replacement and improvement of boardwalk access to routes across the nature reserve.

The design and access statement says: “The existing narrow dilapidated boardwalk will be replaced with wheelchair accessible boardwalks and wheelchair accessible raised viewing platforms/bird hides.”

Plans add the restoration of the peat bog will act as a ‘natural flood management service’ for communities downstream in the Lune catchment area.

Planning documents state Burns Beck Moss holds a ‘significant store’ of carbon but due to the peat reacting with air, it is releasing carbon emissions which contributes to climate change.

By raising water levels, carbon emissions will be reduced, and the bog is ‘likely’ to resume actively storing carbon.

This planning application is currently undergoing public consultation