A PLANNING application aiming to ease parking issues in a Lake District tourist town has been submitted to the national park authority.

Cumbria County Council wants to cut back vegetation and erect a site with 29 parking bays on vacant land attached to Applethwaite Green care home in Phoenix Way, Windermere.

The 29 spaces would include two bays for disabled parking and four kitted out for electric vehicle charging.

The land in question is currently used for car parking in association with the care home. The county council says its application would not impact the care home and that staff and visitors would be issued with parking permits.

Cllr Keith Little, county council cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “This exciting project will provide an ideal parking location for tourists exploring Windermere and supports the improved connectivity to the wider region through proximity to sustainable transport links.

“I’m delighted that we’re continuing to back the drive towards greener transport by investing in physical charging infrastructure - it’s essential that Cumbria has a robust network of charging points which not only help to reduce carbon emissions but open up the county to more electric vehicle drivers.

“I look forward to seeing how the project progresses.”

It is expected the planning application will be determined in summer of this year.

If permission is granted, construction will commence this year, with the county council anticipating the new car park being ready for public use by Easter 2023.