A CAMPAIGN has been launched to protect the Lake District amid claims of an ‘epidemic’ of ‘contentious’ proposals for developments in the national park.

As part of its ‘Save Our Lake District’ (SOLD) campaign, conservation charity Friends of the Lake District (FoLD) has vowed to run a series of events and rallies to “shout loud and clear for the park to be properly managed.”

“The number of contentious situations when proposals for new developments within the Lake District National Park have been challenged appears to be increasing,” said Douglas Chalmers, FoLD chief executive.

“Objections from local communities, threats of judicial reviews and claims that ‘nobody listens’ are bad enough on an individual basis, but this is now an epidemic, and epidemics have to be stopped.”

Most recently, plans to locate ‘gentleman’s yachts’ on Grasmere, submitted to the national park authority, met with a strong reaction. An online petition entitled ‘Houseboats off Grasmere’ has received more than 4,000 signatures, while the National Trust has publicly voiced its opposition.

Another issue which has provoked impassioned debate is the continued use of 4x4s on two ‘green lanes’ in the Lake District. In December, campaign group The Green Lanes Environmental Action Movement (GLEAM) announced it was planning legal action against the Lake District National Park Authority on account of its decision not to ban 4x4s along the two stretches of road in question.

“We want to see the national park looked after, protected from damaging developments and encouraging those that conserve and enhance its natural beauty and cultural heritage,” said Douglas Chalmers, of FoLD.

“It is a call to ensure that this jewel in the country’s crown is looked after properly - loved and not exploited - so that we and those who follow us can continue to enjoy it.”