THE ‘natural beauty and tranquillity’ of a village would be compromised by a storage compound for hundreds of cars, objectors say.

Lloyd Motor Group submitted a planning application to the Lake District National Park Authority in June to provide 254 car storage spaces for use by local dealerships next to the existing South Lakes BMW dealership near Lindale.

The 2.13-hectare site is currently undeveloped land and is bounded by the A590 to the north and undeveloped land to the south.

Lindale and Newton in Cartmel Parish Council has recommended LDNPA planners to refuse the application as they say it would lead to ‘intrusion’ into the countryside.

One resident adds: “It does not improve the beauty of the area, nor does it bring any benefits for recreation or indeed to local people.

“No aspect of this proposal is acceptable in the light of the climate emergency. Using the National Park as car storage is totally inappropriate for a small Lake District village.”

In response to the parish council, the applicant’s agent said the proposed development was not intrusion into the countryside and against policy as outline planning permission was previously granted on the site in 2012 for a dealership.

The agent also said the development was an extension of the existing BMW/Mini dealership and was required due to the ‘increased turnover’ of vehicles.

The design and access statement adds: “Currently, there is insufficient vehicle compound space to serve the nearby car repair workshop and showroom facilities. The proposal addresses this issue by providing 254 car storage spaces for use by local dealerships.

“The A590 running along the northern site boundary has sustained heavy traffic and so from a noise perspective, the compound will be low impact in this context.

“A 5 metre wide landscaping strip to the north west site boundary and the south east site boundary provides screening and creates a wildlife zone

According to plans it is proposed that car transporters will drop vehicles off using the new access road and turning facility off the B5277.

The planning application was registered with the LDNPA on June 10.