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Developers' "Containment" Plan Fails to Ease Fears of Harm to Nature Reserve
9 Nov
Summary
- Proposed 233-lodge resort faces opposition over fears of damage to protected wildlife
- Developer's "on-site containment strategy" criticized as ineffective by campaign group
- Sandscale Haws National Nature Reserve home to endangered natterjack toads and migratory birds
As of November 9th, 2025, a property developer named ILM is facing fierce opposition over its plans to build a 233-lodge holiday resort in Roanhead, near Barrow in Cumbria. The main concern raised by the Save Roanhead campaign group is that the influx of visitors to the area would cause "catastrophic harm" to the nearby Sandscale Haws National Nature Reserve.
In response, ILM has proposed an "on-site containment strategy" designed to limit people from leaving the resort and accessing the protected nature reserve. However, the Save Roanhead group has dismissed this strategy as ineffective, arguing that the type of customers the resort aims to attract - "nature lovers" - will still find ways to explore the sensitive environment.
