Barnoldswick marina's holiday lodge bid (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Barnoldswick marina's holiday lodge bid

10:21am Monday 5th December 2011 in Barnoldswick By Tyrone Marshall, Reporter

A THRIVING marina wants to boost tourism in Pendle by building 11 holiday lodges.

Bosses at Lower Park Marina, Barnoldswick, also want a cafe alongside the self-catering lodges.

Residents oppose the plans and have submitted 43 objections, but planning officers are recommending it for approval.

A spokesman for the marina said: “The activity at the marina is steadily increasing, particularly now that there is a repair dock and additional moorings.

“Notably, the number of people using the café is also increasing, and it is evident that many are people out walking rather than having any particular connection with the marina.

“The provision of additional moorings has in turn given rise to a need for alternative accommodation in the form of self-catering lodges, which will be available for use by people coming to meet up with friends and family who are boating, as well as by others who identify this as a holiday destination.”

The plan was initially to build 15 timber lodges, but this has been reduced to 11 following talks with Pendle Council.

Each lodge would have an open plan kitchen, dining and living area, two double bedrooms, a bathroom and a boiler room.

They will also have two car parking spaces per lodge and three solar panels on the roofs.

Some of the reasons for the objections included potential damage to the countryside, negligible effect on the local economy and increased traffic.

Councillors on the West Craven committee will make a final decision on the plans tomorrow.