Plans to build a new leisure and spa facility in south Cumbria could get the go-ahead next week.

Members of South Lakeland local area planning committee are recommended to approve proposals from Pure Leisure Ltd for a new leisure and spa building, as well as a new sales room, in Lakesway Holiday Home and Lodge Park off Sampool Lane in Levens.

Proposals include a new leisure and sales facility comprising of an indoor swimming pool, a jacuzzi area, changing facilities, a sauna/steam room, two treatment rooms, a sales room, a plant room and ten extra car parking spaces.

Plans are also in place for an outdoor decking area which will overlook the existing pond on the site.

The design and access statement says: “It is anticipated that new jobs will be created from the development and therefore the nearby villages, such as Levens, would also benefit from the proposal.

“In addition to this, by improving the visitor facilities on site, the site is likely to receive an increased interest in visitors looking to rent the holiday lodges and enjoy the new leisure facilities, thus widening the tourism to the area.”

The site is situated in a rural location where there are few roads and footpaths. However planning documents said there are several public transport routes located within relatively close proximity to the site which will require either a short drive or walk towards the village of Levens.

Previous plans to build a larger leisure centre on the site were approved in 2018 but the approved scheme is in a ‘less efficient’ location than the new proposed building.

Planning documents say the applicant is not seeking permission for an additional building but adds the previously approved scheme remains a fallback option if this planning application is refused.

The scheme proposes to utilise the existing access road and add ten new car parking spaces, including two disabled bays. The new parking spaces will be located off the site’s existing access road.

The application site is located near the River Kent and is in a flood risk zone two area which means there is a medium risk of flooding. A drainage ditch is located along the westernmost boundary of the site and ‘significant flood defence infrastructure’ is present around the site to combat this.

Levens Parish Council submitted an objection to the plans due to concerns regarding noise and light pollution from the proposed development.

However, a report prepared for the committee says: “The development would not result in unacceptable detrimental impacts on the appearance of the area, ecology, highways and would not compromise residential amenity inside or outside the site, subject to the application of suitable conditions.”

Members of South Lakeland local area planning committee will discuss the plans when they meet on December 3 at Kendal Town Hall.