Plans for controversial Grasmere houseboats scrapped
Controversial plans to build holiday boats on Grasmere have been scrapped after 'considerable concern' from local residents.
Owners of the lake, Lowther Estates, were seeking clarification from the Lake District National Park Authority about whether it needed planning permission to put ten 'gentlemen's yachts' on the water.
The Chief executive of Lowther Estates says the ten yachts would "fit in with the landscape just as they do on Ullswater and Windermere".
However, the plans sparked anger from residents in the area.
'Houseboats OFF Grasmere' argued it would ruin the tranquility of the area, and set a precedent for other, smaller lakes.
Protesters launched a campaign to prevent the Lowther Estate being given permission to go ahead.
Two hundred people joined a protest march against the plans on Saturday 4 January, with another planned for the 1 of February.
The plans have now been withdrawn by the Lowther Estate, which has been confirmed by the Lake District National Park Authority.
In a statement they said: "Clearly the application for recreational craft on Grasmere has caused considerable concern.
"The Estate is a responsible landowner within the Lake District. They have therefore listened to these concerns and withdrawn the application.
"The Estate looks forward to continuing working with the local community on ways to improve access and the diversity of use on Grasmere."
Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron made a statement on the plans being scrapped:
"This is a massive win for community campaigning.The decision to drop these completely inappropriate plans would not have happened if it hadn’t been for the tireless campaigning of local people.
“Despite this great news we must not take our eye off the ball. The estate may well try again at some point in the future, so we need to continue to send out a loud and clear message that people in Grasmere and across our area say no to these plans."
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