PLANS for a multi-million pound development to transform the Windermere shoreline have been rejected by Lake District planners.

Proposals for the £2m overhaul of Ferry Nab - including a new building, longer jetties, more car parking spaces and an outdoor adventure facility - were thrown out by the national park authority today amid concerns over the design and environmental impact of the development.

“The scheme as it is at the present runs the risk of damaging that most precious thing which is the landscape of the national park,” said Councillor Vivienne Rees.

“I feel that for some people it would seem as if we’re rejecting the plans for trivial reasons but we have to weight up the benefits and harms.”

Members raised concerns that the development could damage a nearby reed bed and questioned the impact longer jetties could have on users of the water.

They also criticised the design of a planned two-storey building, saying it would be more suited to a ‘coastal’ location than the edge of Windermere.

“It would appear as though it had just been parachuted in,” said Coun Norman Clarkson.

“I don’t think the design is right at all.”

Windermere businessman, Robert Judson, also spoke out about the impact of the development on the area’s trees.

“There are 314 trees on the site and 92 will be felled and another 60 are going to be butchered from the ground to 60 metres up,” he said.

“I think we do need to improve what’s there but this is not the way.”

But Peter Winter, who attended on behalf of applicant, South Lakeland District Council, told the committee that many of the trees were in poor health, while the reed bed would be fenced off and would not be affected.

He also said the council was prepared to be ‘flexible’ over the designs.

“The redevelopment of Ferry Nab is important,” he said.

However, the Lake District planners voted unanimously to reject the plans.

Peter Thornton, leader of South Lakeland District Council, later told the Gazette he was ‘disappointed’ the plans were rejected but said the council would now ‘consider its options’.

“There is a clearly a difference of opinion about details of the application but we believe there is significant support across the district for what we are trying to achieve,” he said.

“We are keen to maintain a positive relationship with the Lake District National Park Authority.”