Cartmel Alpacas site withdraw 'controversial' application

All About Alpacas Ltd have withdrawn a planning application to Westmorland and Furness Council for a mobile refreshment unit off Park Road in Cartmel, which would’ve served visitors to the alpaca farm.

The applicants proposed serving refreshments in a converted trailer that plans say would occupy five square metres of land and would operate on a seasonal basis.

According to the All About Alpacas website, the farm offers visitors the opportunity to take part in scenic walks or attend an educational meet and greet with the animals amongst other experiences.

The site near Cartmel Racecourse (Image: Newsquest)

The proposed trailer would be located within the Cartmel Conservation area but planning documents say it would have a ‘negligible’ impact on the area as no permanent feature is being created. Plans add no ‘detrimental’ harm would be caused by the trailer to nearby heritage assets.

However, the council’s conservation officer objected to the proposals as the proposed trailer would add to the number of structures at Cartmel Racecourse and would have a ‘harmful’ impact on the landscape to the western edge of the village.

The conservation officer adds: “I am not convinced that the justification for this additional unit outweighs the harm caused to designated heritage assets and their settings.”

One objector adds: “The existing balance of commercial activity around the market square and unspoilt rural landscape immediately beyond the village is a fine one and would be distorted by this development.

“There is a strong case for preserving the built heritage of the historic village centre with it being a good place in which to live, work and visit. Going beyond the existing limits of the village for short term commercial gain is not in the long term interests of the village and its community.”

This application was withdrawn on November 7.