PERMISSION is being sought for the creation of a 80-cover restaurant and bar on a popular caravan site.

The owners of The Croft Caravan Site, on North Lonsdale Road in Hawkshead, have applied for permission to make alterations and an extension to a redundant utility block and the creation of a cafe/restaurant/bar, citing the current lack of an evening dining provision in Hawkshead.

The design statement submitted to the Lake District National Park Authority says: "Circumstances in the 2022 summer season have resulted in times where it was not possible to source an evening meal due to staffing and administrate reasons. 

"Of the four public houses, Kings Arms, Red Lion, Sun Inn, and Queens, only the latter consistently offers regular food. 

"The Kings Arms has now shut until the start of the 2023 season and the Red Lion and Sun Inn are wet trade (drinks) only. 

READ MORE: Michelin-starred restaurant set for extension and new bar area

"Poppi Red advertises opening hours of 9.30 am to 4.30 pm. 

"The lack of an evening dining out offer has caused vocal disappointment from year-round holidaymakers staying at the applicant's sites at The Croft, Esthwaite View, and Hawkshead Hall."

The application states the building used to house welfare facilities for the camping and touring caravan part of the site, which ceased to operate over six years ago.

As a rationale for the proposal, the statement says: "The applicant traditionally relies heavily on satisfied customers providing repeat custom. 

"A substantive proportion of them chose Hawkshead because, while small and intimate, it offers a choice of the full range of facilities and experiences. 

"Contemporarily Hawkshead fails to satisfy this benchmark.

"By providing an 80-cover cafe/restaurant/bar with a sustained hot food offer, the applicant will be able to satisfy a proven need and strengthen Hawkshead's role as a Rural Service Centre. 

"By controlling the size of the maximum patronage, the applicant is confident that robust staffing can be secured at all times."

The application states that 10 full-time jobs will be created by the new offering.

It says that the new business will not only target caravan site customers, but the general public.

"It is also ideally located with visiting members of the general public or from sister sites not having to physically enter the lodge site as the building is peripheral," it said.

"An inviting double-height glazed entrance facing North Lonsdale Road will attract walk-ins."