Wednesday, October 7 2009
Transport planner JMP is providing transport and highway advice in support of an outline planning application with access arrangements for a 15.5 hectare business estate in the Lake District National Park.
The £70million-plus estate is proposed for land on the A591 between Windermere and Kendal. The developer, The Ratherheath Partnership, is proposing developing 40 per cent of the site – 25 per cent with a mix of B1, B2 and B8 buildings and 15 per cent for car parking.
JMP will be producing a schematic junction design, transport assessment, framework travel plan, a brief Park and Ride feasibility study and car parking management strategy.
At present Stagecoach operates its 555 bus service past the site hourly and JMP will be considering proposals to improve this to a 15 minute service with the introduction of Park and Ride for visitors wanting to visit Windermere and Kendal where parking can be restricted.
The Partnership says that the estate is a unique opportunity to provide much needed high quality employment land without detracting from the landscape, while at the same time benefitting the overall environmental quality of the Lake District National Park.
It adds: “The active participation of Stagecoach at Ratherheath will ensure an informed sustainable public transport system is focused on the site, serving both local communities and visitors. With collaborative participation Ratherheath could contribute to the Lake District vision of a prosperous economy, vibrant communities and world class visitor experience in a spectacular landscape.”