A LAKE District mountain rescue team has been given the go-ahead to use former railway land as car parking after previous proposals were turned down.

The Lake District National Park Authority has approved plans from Coniston Mountain Rescue team to use former railway land off Old Furness Road for parking.

In March the LDNPA refused a similar planning application from the mountain rescue team.

According to planning documents submitted in the previous application, the proposed car park would be for the sole use of the Coniston Mountain Rescue Team when attending training at the building and during rescues.

The LDNPA previously said in a decision that the proposed development would pose a ‘danger’ to highway safety.

However a report by LDNPA planning officers for this application says the proposals are ‘acceptable’ in respect of highway safety.

The design, access and heritage statement for the former application said the capacity of the proposed site was sufficient for six cars if turning within the site is required.

“This serves in addition to the parking provided on and adjacent to the base which can become congested. Whilst a public car park remains opposite the site this can at times be at full capacity and cannot be relied upon for use”, plans add.

The new application was approved on September 11.