PLANS for a storage compound for hundreds of cars in the Lake District have been turned down as it would have ‘adverse’ visual and landscape impacts.

The Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) has refused a planning application submitted by Lloyd Motor Group 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.

However, a decision notice issued by the LDNPA states: “The proposed car storage use is likely to be visible and intrusive in this location. The landscaping proposed would not be sufficient to properly enclose and adequately screen the use.

“There is a lack of any screening to the east side. Security fencing and lighting would further exacerbate the adverse appearance. The access arrangements would also have adverse landscape and visual effects.”

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

READ MORE: Lake District: Lindale car storage plans face opposition

One resident added: “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 refused by the LDNPA on August 15.