A proposal to amend an already approved camping and glamping development near Keswick has drawn an objection from a local parish council, with concerns raised about the scale and nature of the proposed changes.
The application relates to Braithwaite New Farm in Braithwaite, near Keswick, and has been submitted to the Lake District National Park Authority. Above Derwent Parish Council has formally objected to the revised plans, which seek to change the mix and layout of holiday accommodation previously approved for the site.
Under the revised proposal, the site would operate on a year-round basis and would include two seasonal tents, three shepherds’ huts, and eight motorhomes or touring caravans. The parish council argues that this represents a significant shift away from the original consented scheme and would materially increase the number of motorhomes and touring caravans on the site.
In a written submission, the parish council said it wanted the application refused, stating that the revised plans would double the number of motorhomes compared with the original approval. It described the proposal as a clear “intensification” of use.
The council said the original development had been presented as a “low-impact” form of holiday accommodation, but argued that the updated layout would place greater emphasis on motorhomes and touring caravans, which it said could encourage increased private vehicle use for day-to-day travel within the National Park.
According to Times & Star, the council also raised concerns about a lack of detailed information regarding the design and appearance of the additional shepherds’ huts, saying this made it difficult to assess potential impacts on the surrounding landscape.
Planning permission for the original scheme was granted by the Lake District National Park Authority on March 6, 2025. That consent allowed for four seasonal tents with timber decks, four motorhome pitches, one shepherd’s hut, washroom facilities, and a drainage system.
Architect Martin Cuthell Ltd, acting on behalf of the applicant, said the latest submission reflects booking trends since the site began operating.
A planning statement dated December 8, 2025, said the site has operated this year with two tent pitches and one shepherd’s hut, while the remaining two approved tent pitches have not yet been constructed.
According to the statement, bookings for the tents have proved “less popular than expected” when compared with demand for motorhomes and shepherds’ huts.
The revised layout would repurpose the space allocated for the two unbuilt tent pitches to accommodate two additional motorhome or touring pitches and two more shepherds’ huts. The spacing of touring pitches would also be adjusted, with the overall number increased.
The application remains under consideration, and a decision from the Lake District National Park Authority is pending.
For outdoor hospitality and glamping operators, the case highlights the importance of aligning planning consents with evolving market demand, while also ensuring that any proposed changes are supported by clear evidence and detailed design information to address potential concerns from planning authorities and local communities.