THE organisers of a Christian festival that attracts thousands to Keswick every summer have been given the green light to use a plot of land as a campsite in the town for their patrons every year.

The Keswick Convention, which has taken place for almost 150 years, has been granted planning permission to use Crosthwaite Campsite for the event's three weeks in July and August every year for around a thousand attendees.

The site, which has been rented by organisers since 2009 for the purpose on an annual rolling basis, would be regularised for use every year if approved.

In previous years, waste water disposal was connected directly to the nearby Keswick School's sewage system.

Since 2023, however, the site has used a closed waste water system to achieve nutrient neutrality, with waste being transported off-site after the three-week period.

The site lies in a high-risk flood zone, which the planning report addresses.

It says: "The key consideration in this case is whether the use of this site, which is highly vulnerable to flooding, for a temporary camping use is acceptable.

"The requirements of the Exception Test do not seem strictly relevant to a temporary camp site during summer months.

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"The Keswick Convention is an essential part of the economy of Keswick and the surrounding area.

"The regular annual meeting provides a regular injection into the local economy with an influx of visitors to the town."

The report said that benefits of the event, which attracted around 13,000 visitors in 2024, taking place at the refurbished Pencil Factory, would outweigh any flood risk.

Planners also assessed the visual impact of the campsite.

The report said: "Although technically in open countryside, the site is directly and closely related to development in Keswick.

"Camping and caravanning sites can have a harmful effect on the landscape. 

"While there is a degree of visual harm to the landscape, I do not consider that for such a short period the harm outweighs the benefits to the town and convention which are afforded by this temporary use."