A CONTROVERSIAL application for three holiday lodges has been refused planning permission. 

The proposal for land close to Scales was subject to numerous representations from members of the public.

Concerns were expressed about a potential increase in traffic and noise and the development's impact on wildlife. 

Daniel Laisby was seeking permission for three timber lodges on part of an agricultural field that sits opposite Moorhouse Farm.

The plan would also see a modern agricultural storage building used as a bin store and parking area.

Planning documents said the development would be a 'quiet rural retreat' and would not generate noise that would be 'discernible from passing traffic'.

Documents also pointed out that Cumbria County Council's highways department raised no objections to the proposal.

Among the residents to express their opposition to the scheme was Peter Atkinson, who said: "Additional traffic to and from the development would add to an already busy road leading to Scales, particularly during commuting hours."

Mr Atkinson had concerns about noise, and said holidaymakers might wish to 'congregate outside their cottages' and engage in 'unregulated entertainment'.

Tifany Battersby said: "My objection concerns the precedent that the approval of this application would set in terms of the continued extension of residential development beyond the natural boundary of Scales village.

"The result would be an increased intrusion of residential paraphernalia – vehicles, outdoor lighting, garden furniture, garden fencing and domestic hedges etc. – on the predominantly open and agricultural landscape."

Helen and Grahame Gunning said in their representation: "It is known that barn owls and bats nest around this site – such development would endanger them and their natural habitat."

In response to concerns raised by residents, a spokesman for Urban Design Re:Public said in a published document that barn owls that used the existing agricultural storage building had 'co-existed happily' with the 'movement and storage of heavy plant equipment going on just below'.

The spokesman said it was therefore unlikely owls would be disturbed by the proposed use of the building as a parking area. 

In the decision notice, Simon Rowley, director of customer and commercial services at South Lakeland District Council, said the proposed development was adjudged to be in an 'unsustainable' location and would 'erode the open character of the countryside'.