PLANNERS have given the green light to the extension of a popular holiday park near Penrith nearly three years after the application was lodged.

The owners of Flusco Wood, west of Penrith, have been given the thumbs-up to extend their additional offering of holiday lodges by an additional 21 caravans.

The new lodges, which would meet the legal definition of 'caravan', would be allowed to be used for short-term holiday accommodation, and would be sited to the north-west of the existing site, to which it would be adjoined.

Dacre Parish Council initially objected to the plan in late 2021 and in 2023, stating that the development would 'dwarf' the nearby 90-household community of Newbiggin.

Its letter said: "The scale and ambition is such that the development has, or will have, the potential to impact the wider Eden area on a similar scale to the Centre Parks complex.

"Additionally Dacre Parish Council is concerned about the overall ongoing 'creep' of holiday home developments within Dacre Parish."

The decision report stated that after further consultation in November 2023, Dacre Council had no comments or objections'.

Four public objections were lodged during the consultation period according to the report.

These included the exacerbation of existing noise and nuisances which occur during the summer months, and the 'negative impact from the holiday park on the residents of Newbiggin, as well as increased vehicle movement and drainage concerns.

The report explained planners' reasons for approval.

It said: "The proposal is an expansion of an existing tourism development and is considered to be supportable in principle.

"The proposed development site, again with the existing park, is well screened by the existing vegetation and topography.

"The proposed extension of Flusco Wood would not be out of keeping with existing development within the area."

The report says that the new lodges would be similar in style to the existing lodges, and should be 'read in association with the built form of the existing park.'

It concluded: "The proposed development is considered to be in accordance with the development plan which is not outweighed by material considerations, and therefore the application is recommended for approval."