CAMPAIGNERS remain committed to protesting against the potential development of a 450-holiday lodge site near a nature reserve. 

This comes after Landal GreenParks, the slated operator of the site at Roanhead Farm, announced that it had 'suspended discussions' with the developer ILM Group.

A spokesman for Landal GreenParks said: "We are aware of the concerns of various environmental organisations in respect of the proposed Roanhead resort project.

"At this stage, Landal GreenParks emphasises that whilst it is willing to collaborate with ILM Group for the development of a new resort destination, it has decided to suspend discussions on the project until a revised plan has been created that satisfactorily addresses the challenging ecological and environmental concerns and results in the conditional support of Westmorland and Furness Council."

ILM Group declined to comment on Landal GreenParks' statement. 

This Saturday (October 21) Save Roanhead from Developers members will protest outside Landal GreenParks' existing Cumbrian site Whitbarrow, which is near Penrith. 

A spokesperson from the Save Roanhead campaign said: "There are two sizable development proposals at Roanhead. The one which Landal GreenParks has been instrumental in planning has already received a resounding rejection from the National Trust, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, the RSPB, Friends of the Lake District, the Woodland Trust and more, plus 3,700 objections from tax-paying Furness residents and 7,000 signatures on a Save Roanhead petition. 

"Landal GreenParks simply “suspending discussions” with developers ILM Group is meaningless until they pull out of the controversial Roanhead Resort altogether."

Stu Alexander, one of the members of the group said: "Nothing has changed. I would expect all peaceful protests and campaigns to carry on." He wants a full withdrawal of all the current plans. 

READ MORE: Roanhead developer said site will have net biodiversity gain

Another member Lorraine O'Flynn said: "We still have to keep the fight going until they completely withdraw." 

The group also opposes another potential development at Roanhead. Queensland Country Park Limited asked the council for a 'screening opinion' in September on whether an environmental impact assessment for the construction of a ‘low impact, sustainable, leisure retreat’ on the land at Roanhead, off Hawthwaite Lane.

The proposed holiday park would consist of 40 caravan pitches and 62 lodges with facilities.  

The report submitted to Westmorland and Furness Council on September 1 said the site would have 'ecologically friendly leisure accommodation that will help to promote the physical and mental wellbeing of its visitors' and that it 'can add to biodiversity and conservation value of the local area' through landscaping and management. 

Both Queensland Country Park and an environmental consultant for ILM Group have made reference to the site having former industrial use. Both argue that their developments can add to biodiversity in the area. 

Ecologist Chris Schofield, from environment consultancy Enzygo, said: "A wide range of measures would be put in place to produce a net gain in biodiversity at Roanhead Farm.

"The resort will also work with the local planning authority and key stakeholders to agree additional plans to help manage nearby habitats responsibly and will offer a level of protection to these ecosystems."

ILM Group has also said that the lodges would generate 279 new jobs and bring £200 million to the local economy in its first decade in business.