Planning Application.

As recently reported in the Westmorland Gazette, the Lakeland Wildlife Oasis has applied for planning permission to replace the car park with a new one of similar size but, with a grass overspill, at the side of main buildings. The plan also involves creating new animal enclosures, toilets and a play area on the existing car park. There would be alterations and additions to the existing building making a fresh entrance from the new parking area and an additional room for groups and schools. We also plan to create a nature reserve on the far side of the parking area where school children could be escorted safely without going on roads.

A similar application was refused last year on the grounds that we had not shown sufficient need for this additional parking space. You can look at these plans on the SLDC website by typing in SL/2022/1044.

These changes are vital to the Oasis for two reasons.

By removing the car park from the centre of the zoo the Oasis would be able to meet the stricter standards of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria which operates the breeding programs for endangered species. Without this membership the charity cannot join new breeding programs and fulfil its conservation objectives.

The size of the car park, not the size of the zoo, determines the number of visitors who come to the Oasis. Most visitors come in summer or during school holidays and, when the car park is full, there is nowhere to park, not on the narrow country lane nor on the dangerous A6. Many frustrated visitors give up and drive off.

We have always relied on the revenue from summer to keep paying the bills during the quiet winter period but in the current economic climate, with the enormous jump in energy costs and other overheads, we simply can’t afford run a zoo to modern standards with the car park at its current size. The grass overspill together with the new car park will allow twice the current parking space when needed, but will be grazed by stock at off peak times.

If you have experienced the frustrations of parking or would like to help secure the future of the Lakeland Wildlife Oasis, please write to the South Lakeland District Council at;-

South Lakeland House, Lowther Street, Kendal, Cumbria LA9 4DQ.

And Quote the reference number SL/2022/1044.

For those who would prefer to email this is the address: Developmentmanagement@southlakeland.gov.uk

You need to include your name, address and our case number SL/2022/1044 for the email to be acknowledged.

Alternatively you can submit your support online using the following link: https://applications.southlakeland.gov.uk/fastweb/comment.asp?AltRef=SL/2022/1044&ApplicationNumber=SL%2F2022%2F1044&AddressPrefix=&Postcode=&Submit=Search