New industrial estate building size increase

A developer has been given permission to increase the size of a proposed building at a Lakes industrial estate.

The application was for land at Rothay Holme Industrial Estate, just outside Ambleside town centre.

The Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) had already approved tthe construction of a steel-framed building on the site in March 2024.

But in January this year, a further application was submitted by Rickie Clark of Natural Lake District Ltd, asking for the proposed building to be built at an increased size.

The existing site forms a gated yard which is used as storage for building materials and machinery, with a shed/canopy also inside it.

The shed would be demolished as part of the proposals.

The LDNPA’s development control committee considered the application on April 1.

A planning officer talked the committee through the proposals.

He described how the developer proposed to extend the building on its south side to adjoin an existing building, and on its north side, making it wider.

The officer said: “The building would also be extended to the west, towards the track, and a new roller door (has been) added to the south elevation.”

He added that the application had been referred to the committee as ‘one of the owners of the site is a relative to a member of staff’ at the LDNPA.

In conclusion, he said: “I consider the proposed increase in the size of the building, with the recommended condition that the walls and roof of the building will be covered in juniper green-coloured sheeting, would cause no harm to the character and appearance of the local area.”

The officer recommended that the application be approved.

One member described it as a ‘great opportunity to develop a new business space within the park’ and said he was happy to go with the officer’s recommendation.

The plans were unanimously approved by the committee.