A PLAN to create a car park for 100 vehicles and seven coaches in a honeypot Lake District village has been rejected.

The Lake District National Park Authority's (LDNPA) development control committee unanimously agreed the proposal for Coniston should be turned down.

Directors of Coniston Coppermines and Lakes Cottages had hoped to create the car park on a field next to the Ruskin Museum on Yewdale Road.

As well as space for cars and coaches, the proposal included electric vehicle charging points, landscaping, a pond, and an amenity building with food and retail outlets.

Phil Johnston, from Coniston Coppermines, said the plan was necessary to negate parking difficulties in the area.

"For years, car parking has been a significant issue in the national park," he told the meeting. "The problem is only going to get worse.

"Our application provides robust additional parking."

Helen Tate, representing the applicants, added: "The current level of parking is totally inadequate. People leave Coniston because they can't park their cars, and others totally avoid it.

"What kind of welcome do we give international visitors we've prised away from London if they can't find a space to park when they get here?"

The proposal appeared to split opinion, with 58 representations submitted to the LDNPA in favour of the plans, while 63 objected.

Area planner Mairi Lock had recommended that the committee turn down the proposal, however, as she found it contravened policy and would bring about harmful change to the settlement character of the village.

Coniston Parish Council (CPC) member Cllr Anne Hall spoke said the proposal should be rejected as it was borne out of 'commercial gain' rather than 'providing a positive facility for the village'.

Cllr Bill Jefferson said: "World Heritage Site Status will bring in more people and visitor numbers are continuing to increase. But we have a duty to protect our landscapes and our communities."

Cllr John Thompson added: "CPC are our eyes and ears and its members live every day in that area. They propose we don't support this because it could be harmful to Coniston.

"The people that live there daily should be able to express themselves."