A MULTI-MILLION-POUND scheme to transform a visitor hotspot is to go before planners tomorrow.

Fell Foot Park, near Newby Bridge, could be overhauled with a new watersports centre, jetty, camping pods, extra car parking and altered access if the proposal is given a green light.

Members of the Lake District National Park Authority’s development control committee are expected to rubber stamp the proposals at their meeting at Murley Moss, in Kendal.

The National Trust, which owns the park on the shore of Windermere, estimates the changes could increase the number of visitors from 180,000 to 250,000 a year, while also creating the equivalent of 11 new full-time jobs.

National Trust executives say the average income from the park for each of the last five years has been just £15,000. They say the extra income could make Fell Foot financially sustainable in the long term.

The report to the planning committee states: “Fell Foot is a popular destination on sunny days and relies on income from car park fees, a small tea room and boat/storage fees.

“The National Trust advises that income from these sources is not sustainable, averaging only £15,000 a year for the last five years and that it needs to provide a fully sustainable, year- round business that will enable investment in its facilities, landscape and heritage.”

The plans include the addition of 18 wooden camping pods, 70 extra car parking spaces to compensate for the loss of 50 roadside spaces and a 44-metre jetty capable of docking the larger of the Windermere ferries.

The listed boathouses would be revamped to become a cafe and ticket office.

But the application, which forms part of the Windermere Waterfront plan, has provoked strong objections from people living nearby – with 18 letters urging rejection of the plans received by the LDNPA.

Official concerns over car parking and the new entry to the park have also been raised by members of Staveley-in-Cartmel Parish Council and conservation group Friends of the Lake District.

However, national park planning officer Ben Long has recommended planning consent is granted for the scheme.

In his report to the planning committee, Mr Long states: “This application offers significant benefits to an important visitor facility on the shore of Windermere.”

Nigel Wilkinson, director of Windermere Lake Cruises, said the project represented a significant investment in the tourism economy of the area. He said: “We welcome the fact that the National Trust is willing to invest in the development of Fell Foot as it is an important part of the Windermere Waterfront programme that seeks to improve the quality of the visitor offer in this area.

“Many people will benefit from an investment like this – both directly and indirectly.”