A PROPOSAL to build a touring caravan site on open fields close to a South Lakeland town has been scuppered by a Government-appointed planning inspector.

He upheld a decision by South Lakeland District Council to refuse permission to create a park for 20 touring caravans on open land adjacent to the A65, opposite Kendal Road, at Kirkby Lonsdale.

Inspector Jim Metcalfe ruled that, because of its location, and the visual impact of the site, the caravans and ‘related paraphernalia - timber clad toilet block, recycling compound, awnings and cars - would have a significant detrimental effect on the character and appearance of the landscape on the approach to the town.

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“The built-up area of Kirkby Lonsdale has well- defined limits and the caravan site would be in a visually-sensitive location, in the open countryside that provides an attractive rural setting for an attractive market town,” says Mr Metcalfe’s report.

“The caravan park would be an isolated development that would be seen as forming a spread of peripheral activity where, at present, there is a sharp edge to the town.”