Council brands new SPAR store and petrol station plans in Lake District ‘excessive’

By: Dan Hunt, Local Democracy Reporter

A parish council has branded plans for a new SPAR store and a petrol station in the Lake District as ‘excessive’.

In April James Hall & Co submitted a planning application to the Lake District National Park Authority for the construction of a convenience store and a petrol station on land at Bragg Field in Hawkshead.

It is proposed that the store will be open from 7am to 10pm every day and there will be 14 standard car parking spaces, two mobility spaces and two spaces with electric vehicle charging bays for the store.

A response by Hawkshead Parish Council says: “I am able to report that councillors object to the plans as it is felt that the proposed petrol station, shop and canopy is quite an excessive build for the surrounding area and feel that there is no real need for the filling station.”

An objector adds: “Hawkshead is a picturesque village with old stone houses and cobblestone streets and this development would completely ruin the overall look and ambience of this beautiful village.”

Concerns were also raised about the proximity of the proposed petrol station to nearby houses.

However other residents have come out in support of the application, with one stating: “I believe it will help bring more business to the village and can only be beneficial to the community.”

According to planning documents the proposed petrol station will have four petrol and diesel pump bays.

Planning documents say the proposals could create 30 jobs for local people consisting of 15 full time and 15 part time roles.

A design and access statement says: “The application site is a suitable and sustainable location for the proposed development and that it will create a high-quality convenience retail and petrol filling station facility which will deliver a range of economic, social and environmental benefits for Hawkshead and the local area.”

According to planning documents, at the moment people living in the area currently have to travel to Coniston, Ambleside or petrol filling stations on the A591 towards Kendal to purchase fuel.

Planning documents add ‘removing unnecessary journeys’ by providing local fuel sales (and additional EV charging) in Hawkshead will provide economic and environmental benefits.

Previously plans for a Co-op on the site were approved in 2022 however these plans have not been implemented.

This application is under consideration.

(Local Democracy Reporting Service)