3 responses from Mrs Audrey Taylor, Cumbria Tourism
1. Mrs Audrey Taylor, Cumbria Tourism : 9 May 2008 16:13:00
To which part of the Report does your representation relate?
Paragraph or Section
3.103 The Preferred Option - PO5 - Sustainable Economy
Please state as clearly as you can the exact part of the Report you are commenting on by quoting the page number (if known), paragraph number, option name or number, or the number of the map, figure or table.
Pages 75 - 91
Do you support, oppose or have an observation about this part of the Report?
Support
Please write your comment or explain your reasons for supporting or opposing this part of the Report. You may also wish to refer to the tests of soundess in the glossary of the Preferred Options document before making your comments.
We welcome the recognition of the importance of tourism and the visitor economy to the vitality and future wellbeing of the area and the industry's potential role in delivery of the South Lakeland Community Strategy, e.g. by "supporting & developing the cultural & creative industries" and supporting the tourism sector in line with a specific policy [PO20].
Broad support for the aim of a "Sustainable Economy" and in particular, "to support the growth of the local economy and rural diversification [whilst supporting tourism and the leisure economy]".
Pleased to see [3.108] the acknowledgement that "the environmental and historic heritage of South Lakeland provide opportunities for tourism development".
What change(s) would you suggest for this part of the Report?
N/A
Please use this space if you wish to set out a new option for consideration.
N/A
Please indicate if you wish to be notified when the Core Strategy has been:
Submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination
Adopted by the District Council
2. Mrs Audrey Taylor, Cumbria Tourism : 9 May 2008 16:12:00
Please state as clearly as you can the exact part of the Report you are commenting on by quoting the page number (if known), paragraph number, option name or number, or the number of the map, figure or table.
Core Strategy, POs 6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,15
Do you support, oppose or have an observation about this part of the Report?
Support
Please write your comment or explain your reasons for supporting or opposing this part of the Report. You may also wish to refer to the tests of soundess in the glossary of the Preferred Options document before making your comments.
Whilst PO20 relates specifically to Tourism, we feel that many of the other Policies have a direct bearing on the industry and its future health, including;
PO6 – Town Centres and Retail [where there is recognition of the importance of retailing and other town centre uses, such as leisure as particularly significant elements and the importance of car parking provision]
PO7 – Green Infrastructure [where the core strategy will seek to protect the countryside from inappropriate development whilst supporting its positive use for agriculture, recreation, biodiversity, health, education and tourism]
PO8 – Accessibility and Transport [which indicates the Council’s commitment to work with partners to provide parking which facilitates the achievement of objectives in the core strategy and consider the development of park and ride sites and support the provision of coach parking where appropriate]
PO9 – Sustainable Development Principles [where it is noted that good design is central in national planning policy and is key to sustainable development, creating a sense of place that recognises the historical and cultural identity of South Lakeland, whilst establishing a modern and distinct environment]
PO10 – Developer contributions [where the policy indicates that contributions will be secured through the use of conditions, legal agreements or other mechanisms to provide, for example “enhancement of the public realm, including public art, recreation provision, waste management / recycling facilities”]
PO11 – Kendal Functional Area [where there will be a designated regeneration area at the former Kendal Canal Head area, via a separate Area Action Plan and stating that “new attractions in Kendal will be complemented with new tourism infrastructure including accommodation”]
PO12 – Ulverston Functional Area [where there will be support for enhancement of tourist attractions, building on the Laurel and Hardy connection, the festival theme and specialist boutique shopping in the town centre; these will be complemented by enhanced tourism infrastructure, including accommodation]
PO13 – Grange over Sands Functional Area [where it is suggested that Grange should have a tourism / leisure emphasis, including the identification of a major regeneration opportunity at Berners Close car park/lido/Berners Pool, enhancements to the promenade as an attraction for visitors, including working with partners to develop appropriate themes for the town on which to base the regeneration of the resort, as well as supporting tourism initiatives in Cartmel which respect its historic environment]
PO15 – Kirkby Lonsdale 2025 [which seeks to protect and enhance the vitality and viability of the town centre and support tourism initiatives including enhanced tourism infrastructure]
All of these, we feel provide a very positive framework for tourism and the visitor economy and should, if implemented, help to create the conditions and infrastructure for the private sector to "deliver employment opportunities and economic growth".
What change(s) would you suggest for this part of the Report?
N/A
Please use this space if you wish to set out a new option for consideration.
N/A
Please indicate if you wish to be notified when the Core Strategy has been:
Submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination
Adopted by the District Council
3. Mrs Audrey Taylor, Cumbria Tourism : 9 May 2008 16:11:00
To which part of the Report does your representation relate?
Paragraph or Section
Preferred Option - PO20 - Tourism
Please state as clearly as you can the exact part of the Report you are commenting on by quoting the page number (if known), paragraph number, option name or number, or the number of the map, figure or table.
Pages 207 - 210
Do you support, oppose or have an observation about this part of the Report?
Support partly
Please write your comment or explain your reasons for supporting or opposing this part of the Report. You may also wish to refer to the tests of soundess in the glossary of the Preferred Options document before making your comments.
We welcome the references to the South Lakeland Community Strategy [5.28] and the 6 bullet point Actions. We would, however, suggest that reference is also made to the new Tourism Strategy for Cumbria, "A Realistic Dream", which will guide the activities and investments of a wide range of organisations, agencies and the private sector for the next 10 years.
What change(s) would you suggest for this part of the Report?
However, despite the generally supportive and positive tenor of the preceding Policies, we were disappointed to see the contradictory choice of Preferred Option [2], i.e. the "Less Lenient Approach to Tourist Facilities in General".
The wording here is provocative and confusing. Whilst we acknowledge that "sustainability" is essential, the more restrictive approach in Option 2 appears to be at odds with the earlier aspirations and the objectives of the South Lakeland Community Strategy. [There appears to be a disconnect between the ambitions and the policy mechanism].
Please use this space if you wish to set out a new option for consideration.
Is there not a "middle way" between the two Options? The new PPS4 has a general presumption in favour of [economic] development and a recognition of the importance of the tourism sector for rural areas such as Cumbria. What is needed is a more equal balance between Economic, Social and Environmental issues.
There does not appear to be sufficient recognition of the specific needs of visitors and the visitor economy in rural areas like Cumbria; it would be particularly helpful to have [within the LDF] an indication of locations, or general areas where, for example, new tourism attractions or accommodation development would be permitted and encouraged, as part of a wider economic regeneration programme or to support/sustain the local economy.
Cumbria Tourism has recently undertaken a Hotel demand study, the implications of which can be summarised as;
*The need to earmark suitable sites/opportunities for new investment
*Enabling extensions/expansions of existing hotels for new facilities, e.g. leisure/spa/conference
*Importance of design quality and build standards
*The need for positive and flexible approach to planning for tourism within the wider economic development/regeneration framework
*Generally, the importance of the LDF’s “place-shaping” role, as a backdrop to successful economic performance.
Another key issue will be how SLDC's LDF policies will dovetail with those of the National Park Authorities and neighbouring Planning Authorities. These strategic documents must complement each other and at the very least, not conflict, if we are to create the conditions for economic growth for the whole of Cumbria and provide clarity and certainty to attract the necessary private sector investment.
Please indicate if you wish to be notified when the Core Strategy has been:
Submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination
Adopted by the District Council