A PLAN to bring 84 caravan pitches to a farm has been refused by a council.

Proposals were put forward to add the spaces for touring caravans on farmland that already includes holiday lodges.

Colt Park Farm at Aldingham, on the Coast Road near Ulverston, put forward plans to South Lakeland District Council for the additional pitches, on the same site as Doe Wood Lodges.

The site also asked to add a ‘welfare building’ along with the associated infrastructure but plans were rejected by planners from South Lakeland District Council (SLDC).

A statement making up part of the plans talked up its benefits, saying: “Touring units are typically single storey and compact, perfectly suited to this sensitive rural location.

"The expansion of the park would provide a mirrored development with a combined central area of open recreational space.

"The site provides a number of social benefits for the local area.

“Firstly, through the promotion of the area to visitors which is created as a result of a general company profile and the quality of the existing tourism offer. This also links with the economic aspect of sustainability, with a greater awareness of local services facilitating spin off expenditure and linked trips.”

Refusing the application, SLDC said: “The proposed caravan and camping site due to its location away from existing service centres and its visual and functional separation from the nearby lodge park would represent an unsustainable form of development.

“Furthermore, it has not been clearly demonstrated as to why it is essential for the development to be located in a rural area and whether the proposal would adequately support a rural based business.”

Documents show that Jeremy Parsons, Cumbria’s historic environment officer, asked for an archaeological evaluation of the site. Bronze Age human cremations were found on the farm in the 19th century.

Aldingham Parish Council did not object to the plans.

Peter Martin, chairman, said: "There was nothing untypical about this."