Lake District farm padel centre plans withdrawn after concerns

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 07:02 · Archive

A plan to transform a Lake District farm near Bowness-on-Windermere into a business and wellness complex with padel courts has been withdrawn.

Matson Ground Estate Company Ltd submitted plans to the Lake District National Park Authority to redevelop Home Farm at Matson Ground, near Bowness-on-Windermere. The application, registered on 17 July, proposed demolishing existing farm buildings and creating commercial premises alongside two new agricultural buildings, parking and a new access track. The application was withdrawn on 15 October.

Documents submitted with the plans revealed ambitions for wide-ranging diversification of the family-owned estate. The design and access statement set out plans for 14 makers' spaces, three health and wellness units, a wellness studio, an office building and three agricultural units. A proposed padel centre, labelled 'Lakes Padel' on the submitted drawings, would have contained two indoor courts alongside reception, changing facilities, informal seating and retail space. First-floor plans included space for socialising, viewing and events as well as a meeting room.

The proposals were intended to replace redundant agricultural buildings at the site, which the applicant's documents describe as being in a state of disrepair. According to the design and access statement, the farm's existing buildings had become increasingly redundant as the estate moved away from a slurry-based livestock system towards more extensive, low-input grazing. Concerns about the development's impact on the surrounding countryside and local roads prompted the withdrawal.

How it is being reported

• Plans to transform Lake District farm with padel courts and studios withdrawnA major plan to transform a Lake District farm into a new business, wellness and leisure complex has been withdrawn after concerns were raised about its impact on the surrounding countryside and local roads.NW Evening Mail · 20 Oct, 06:00
• Plans to transform Lake District farm with padel courts and studios withdrawnA major plan to transform a Lake District farm into a new business, wellness and leisure complex has been withdrawn after concerns were raised about its impact on the surrounding countryside and local roads.Westmorland Gazette · 20 Oct, 06:00

In this story: Matson Ground Estate Company Ltd · Lake District National Park Authority · Home Farm at Matson Ground · Bowness-on-Windermere · Lake District

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem