An event was held at the weekend to celebrate a well-loved beach and wildlife haven in Barrow.

The day marked 40 years of conservation from the National Trust at Sandscale Haws.

Located on the Furness peninsula, Roanhead Beach is a well-loved spot for visitors as well as being home to a variety of wildlife with many endangered and rare species. 

READ MORE: Council investigates after beach deemed 'dirtiest in the UK'

READ MORE: Barrow nature haven eco system threatened by pondweed

READ MORE: Over four fifths of Barrovians have access to green space

A National Trust marquee was set up where organisers spoke to visitors from all over the UK about the beach - which included displays of some of the weird and wonderful creatures that can be found there.

They also informed people of the Save Roanhead movement as they passed signs lining a walkway that said 'wrong type', 'wrong place' and 'wrong size'.

'Save Roanhead' merchandise was also on display along with banners, signs and painted pebbles.

(Image: Kelly Holland) The ongoing campaign has seen local people and conservation organisations work together to oppose plans submitted to Westmorland & Furness Council which they say are inappropriate developments. 

Two developers have applied for permission to build holiday resorts at Roanhead.  

The Save Roanhead group is encouraging 'people who care about the beach' to object to the two applications via the council planning process.

(Image: Kelly Holland) Kelly Holland, from Save Roanhead, said: "The committee were at Roanhead on Saturday and talked to lots of people who felt equally as strongly that Roanhead is special and should remain as it is.

Click here to subscribe to the Mail

"People are horrified at the thought of a big holiday park taking over this peaceful wildlife area.

"We met people from as far away as Birmingham, visiting to get away from the hustle of city life and grateful that local people were fighting to Save Roanhead."

(Image: Kelly Holland) Plans for up to 450 lodges on the site were withdrawn by ILM Group in November 2023 and new scaled-back proposals for 233 lodges were submitted in January.

Developers said the new proposals would ‘significantly’ reduce the number of visitors to the site and potential associated impacts on the natural environment.

Then in June, Queensland Country Park Ltd submitted a planning application to build a ‘sustainable leisure retreat’ on land off Hawthwaite Lane on Roanhead.

Part of its design and access statement said: "The application seeks to provide a low-impact, sustainable, leisure retreat for visitors to Roanhead, and for local residents."