Nearly 14 years into the 21st Century, the old maxim ‘the only thing that is constant is change’ certainly holds true in South Lakeland and the surrounding area.

And with the region still battered and bruised from the effects of the recession, and other socio-economic factors at play, there are inevitably winners and losers.

This week it was announced that Richard Thornton's CofE Primary School at Burton-in-Lonsdale might have to close due to dwindling pupil numbers. Yet at Burton-Morewood C of E Academy at Burton-in-Kendal, pupils, staff and governors are celebrating the opening of a £500,000 building project involving an extended hall and more space for reception pupils.

At High Bentham, St Margaret’s Parish Church will shut after a community appeal failed to raise enough money to fund vital repair works and the Diocese of Carlisle is seeking approval to close St Andrew’s Youth Centre at Coniston, which has been running at a loss for three years.

But plans are afoot for multi-million pound improvements for YMCA Lakeside; a £100,000 campaign has been set up to build a new BMX track at Kendal; and ambitious plans to redevelop Sedbergh town centre to create a new ‘public space’ have been drawn up.

The strongest evidence the area is on ‘the up’, however, has come with news that a Fylde Coast company wants to redevelop the building previously occupied by the Salesian Sisters at Brettargh Holt, just south of Kendal, into a £3m, four-star hotel.

It says the scheme will create 40 permanent jobs and bring around £1m into the economy every year.

The project is a much-needed vote of confidence in the Kendal and South Lakes area and has been welcomed by Cumbria Chamber of Commerce.

Planning permission is still required, although the only real issue might be highway safety.

It is to be hoped any road concerns can be overcome so the hotel can go ahead, boosting jobs and helping to give the district a financial shot in the arm.