Plans resubmitted for controversial Cumbrian eco-lodge resort

Slashing the number of proposed holiday homes from 450 to 233, ILM Group is hoping that this second application for Roanhead Lodge Resort will receive a better public reception than its previous iteration.

Developer ILM had submitted an application for 450 homes on 135 acres of farmland in Barrow-in-Furness last June. The land is part of the Roanhead Farm off Hawthwaite Lane.

Public reaction to the plans was swift and condemning, with environmental groups registering objections to the project. They cited the impact it would have on the coastal dunes it sits near and the general ecology of the area.

ILM withdrew that application in December. The new rendition sees the number of eco-lodges drastically cut, buffer zones between the resort and nature expanded, and the banning of dogs on the resort. There is also a proposed habitat area for natterjack toads, a protected and rare amphibian that lives in sand dunes.

Of the 135 acres that make up the site, 25 would be retained grassland and 18 acres would be kept as a special habitat.

The previous version of the application had many more lodges and a narrow buffer. Credit: via SEC Newgate

Designs drawn up by masterplanner and landscape architect DesignTM also include several public spaces on the resort: a 13,000 sq ft spa complex, children’s activity zone, brasserie, and an education centre.

A 33,700 sq ft central resort building would have areas for food and beverage, retail, and a kids’ play barn. There would also be a 23,700 sq ft leisure club with a pool and fitness suite.

Sustainability initiatives for the project include sustainable drainage systems, rainwater harvesting, EV charging ports, solar energy panels, and kitchen gardens.

The project has the potential to increase annual visitor spend in Cumbria by £10.8m, according to economist HATCH. Furthermore, the project is set to create 209 jobs during its construction, with 184 permanent jobs being created once it is up and running.

“We recognise the strength of feeling relating to our previous proposals and have listened intently to feedback, evolving our approach to provide a new masterplan for Roanhead Lodge Resort that is much more balanced and sensitive to the surrounding environment,” said Andrew Coutts, ILM’s chief executive.

“At the same time, the proposals continue to represent a major opportunity to stimulate the visitor economy locally, create hundreds of jobs, and provide high-quality amenities, which will support the Furness area’s transformation into a thriving place to live, work and visit,” he continued.

“Dedicated visitor accommodation, with the appropriate infrastructure, facilities, and professional management in place to support it, has an important role to play in this journey, ensuring that economic growth is realised sustainably and that there is a positive impact on the wider community.”

ILM’s resort has the support of the Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership. CLEP chief executive Jo Lappin commented: “The Roanhead Lodge resort will provide an excellent base for visitors to discover and explore the Furness Peninsula and its natural, industrial and cultural offer.

“It is really encouraging to see that the resort developers have listened and responded to feedback from residents and stakeholders and taken this into account in developing their further plans for the site.”

Enzygo is the planning consultant for Roanhead Lodge Resort and is also providing consultancy services around noise, geo-environment, hydrology, and ecology.

Fazackerley Design is leading the architecture for the resort.

The project team also includes SMC Leisure and transport consultant SLR.

You can learn more about the project by searching application reference number B06/2024/0024 on Westmorland and Furness Council’s planning portal site for Barrow-in-Furness.