A FIVE year planning nightmare for a Lake District micro business has been brought to a close by the National Planning Inspectorate.

The independent Government body has overturned previous decisions by the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) to refuse planning permission to develop the Predator Experience at Ayside, near Grange-over-Sands. It follows an intense three-day public inquiry in Kendal.

Daniel and Dee Ashman, who own and run the eco-tourism business, will now be able to fulfill their dreams of improving visitor facilities.

The popular visitor attraction, which has featured on various TV programmes such as BBC’s Countryfile and the BBC Travel Show, is the only place in the country where people can enjoy a ‘walking with wolves’ experiences with wolf hybrids in the Lake District countryside.

Other interactive experiences include flying golden eagles from the top of Lake District fells, going on hawk walks, and learning about the crucial roles predators play in the bio-diversity system and in supporting eco-tourism.

Since 2014, the couple have been embroiled in a with the LDNPA over planning schemes including a new live/work unit to improve and enhance their existing animal and bird centre.

Despite a number of local businesses and organisations, including Cumbria Tourism and the Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership, voicing support for the scheme, and numerous re-sizing and re-scaling of plans to meet requirements, the couple still faced four separate rejections in as many years.

Now, after having all of the evidence of their case independently assessed and cross examined at a public inquiry, the couple are now able to look to the future and can celebrate reaching a milestone 10 years in business.

“We’re so excited,” said Dee. “We’ve not been able to take the business forward in the last five years and have got so used to throwing everything we have both emotionally and financially into fighting for our survival, and what we knew to be right and just, that we still can’t quite take it all in.

“This whole process has been really damaging for us and the sad fact is that we’ve probably become better known in the local area for our planning woes than for the range of intoxicating, natural experiences we can offer.

“Only two per cent of appeals make it to public inquiry stage and those tend to involve huge multi nationals or large scale housing developments, so its testament to our belief in our business that we got to this stage.”

The Ashman's plans for the improvement of visitor facilities at Predator Experience include the addition of new animal housing and viewing rooms, an indoor flying room to provide year-round wet weather facilities, a reception area, education, training and conference room, staff room, parking and comfort facilities with disabled access and a new animal hospital.

Up to five new jobs will be created and the development is expected to bring around £1.1m into the local economy each year – more than double the amount the attraction currently generates.