A SOUTH Lakes holiday business has won planning permission to replace 20 touring caravan pitches with 20 static caravan pitches.

Beetham Holiday Homes on Slackhead Road, Hale, near Milnthorpe, had its application heard by South Lakeland District Council on Monday.

SLDC officer Lucy Isham told the planning committee that discussion of the plans started in 2017.

“The key issues are the principle of the replacement of 20 touring caravan pitches with 20 static caravan pitches, the impact on the landscape and the Arnside and Silverdale area of outstanding natural beauty,” she said.

Lucy Barron, manager of AONB, objected on the grounds that the development would have a “serious and detrimental impact” on the area.

Ms Barron said the emerging Arnside and Silverdale development planning document – which had yet to be adopted – stated that without evidence of previous static caravans, the development should be treated as a “new” and therefore not be given permission.

Applicant Craig Russell told the committee that the company regularly carried out conservation work and passionately cared for the park’s geology, plant and animal life.

It had followed all the guidelines set down by the Environment Agency, Natural England and local conservation bodies, he said.

Mr Russell, who has served on the Arnside and Silverdale AONB executive for a decade, said: “I’m very proud to say that the parts of the park which are developed are much more diverse with local native species than the undeveloped areas.

“This is because of the careful way we manage hedges, woodlands and meadows. Over the last 50 years, my family has sought to be an exemplary park in regard to the care of the environment.”

Mr Russell said static caravans were more “environmentally efficient” and there had been no local objections.

SLDC development control team leader Mark Lynch told the meeting that any “harm” had been mitigated against. “The site is very well-screened and the layout does take account of the geological and topographical features. You have to decide whether that is harmful or not,” said Mr Lynch.

Cllr Dave Khan, the Liberal Democrat councillor for Grange, said: “This is an extremely well-run site and takes commercial development hand-in-hand with the natural environment. I think it’s a fantastic example of how a park should be developed. They take it very, very seriously.”

Cllr Brian Cooper, the Conservative councillor for Burton and Crooklands, said: “The people coming up to stay are not bringing caravans with them to clog up all the lanes. They also come and stay for a couple of weeks, which is very good for the local economy.”

The committee unanimously granted the application.