MORE than 200 people turned out to take a closer look at details of the controversial South Lakeland Gateway Project.

Members of the public and interested parties turned up to view initial plans and quiz consultants on proposals to develop land around the Westmorland County Showfield, near junction 36 of the M6.

The gateway project, which has sparked some opposition from neighbours, has three main elements: a modern, relocated auction mart; a centre to support rural food and other producers' businesses in Cumbria; and a visitors' centre.

South Lakeland District Council regeneration officer David Sykes said the open event had gone well, attracting detractors and supporters in equal measure.

"We were able to talk to a lot of people and get some feedback," he said. "Generally we were very pleased with the event - it threw up a lot of comments for and against the scheme."

He said there had been a "mixture of concerns" about the proposed development which centered around its location, size, traffic and environmental impact issues.

The plan, which has already received £160,000 funding for research from Regeneration Cumbria, Cumbria County Council and SLDC, is also backed by Kendal Auction Mart and the Westmorland Agricultural Society.

Mr Sykes stressed that the open event was an interim consultation on emerging design proposals.

He said that in March when the initial study should be completed and a series of public meetings take place questions about traffic, job creation and economic impact would be answered more fully.