NEW plans for a storage compound capable of housing hundreds of cars have been opposed by a parish council who labelled the proposals an ‘intrusion’ into the countryside.

Lloyd Motor Group has applied to the Lake District National Park Authority to provide 254 car storage spaces for use by local dealerships next to the existing South Lakes BMW dealership near Lindale.

The proposed 2.38-hectare site is currently undeveloped land and is bounded by the A590 to the north and undeveloped land to the south.

According to the applicant, the proposals would address the ‘insufficient’ vehicle compound space to serve the nearby workshop and showroom facilities.

However, Lindale and Newton Parish Council has objected to the new plans due to the loss of open countryside and agricultural land.

The parish council also raised concerns the proposals would create a ‘precedent’ for further development on the approach to the village.

Plans for a 2.13-hectare site were previously turned down by the LDNPA in August due to concerns the proposal would have ‘adverse’ visual and landscape effects.

The decision notice for the previous proposals said: “The proposed car storage use is likely to be visible and intrusive in this location. The landscaping proposed would not be sufficient to properly enclose and adequately screen the use.

“There is a lack of any screening to the east side. Security fencing and lighting would further exacerbate the adverse appearance. The access arrangements would also have adverse landscape and visual effects.”

The new plans say a five-metre-wide landscaping strip to the north west site boundary and an eight metre wide strip to the south east site boundary provides screening and will create a wildlife zone.

According to plans, vehicles will be delivered to the site using car transporters to the existing access which serves the BMW dealership. It is proposed a spur road will link the storage facility with the dealership.

This planning application is under consideration.