Environmental charity Friends of the Lake District has launched a campaign to protect what it describes as an “under siege” Lake District National Park from contentious new developments.

The charity, which played a part in securing national park status for the Lake District in the early 1950s, has launched the Save Our Lake District campaign in the face of numerous recent controversial plans and decisions.

Its chief executive, Douglas Chalmers, said: “The number of contentious situations when proposals for new developments within the Lake District National Park have been challenged appear to be increasing. 

“Objections from local communities, threats of judicial reviews and claims that “nobody listens” are bad enough on an individual basis, but this is now an epidemic, and epidemics have to be stopped.

“Recreational vehicles on fell tracks, gondolas, inappropriate path surfaces and now gentleman’s yachts on Grasmere. Your park is under siege while the statutory protection for its fragile beauty is being ignored. This must stop.”

“Why would we want to build new attractions that may not fit into the landscape? 

“People come here to enjoy the landscape and the tranquillity.

Mr Chalmers added: “This is not a call for preservation. That would be destructive for our environment, businesses and communities. 

“But it is a call to ensure that this jewel in the country’s crown is looked after properly – loved and not exploited – so that we and those who follow us can continue to enjoy it.”

Mr Chalmers said the campaign will include several events that “shout loud and clear for the Park to be properly managed”.

Its launch follows a number of high-profile cases that have pitted new developments, in the main by businesses eager to develop their offer to visitors, against demands to protect the Lake District’s unique environment.

A Facebook campaign continues to gather support to halt proposals by the Lowther Estate Trust to moor “gentleman's yachts” in the south-east part of Grasmere.

The National Trust and the Wordsworth Trust have become the latest organisation to come out against the move to offer a new experience for visitors.

Pressure group Green Lanes Environmental Action Movement has launched a crowdfunding campaign so it can take legal action against the Lake District National Park Authority over plans to allow 4x4 vehicles to continue using two stretches of green road in the Little Langdale area.

And the No Go Gondola group continues to campaign against proposals for a cable car at Whinlatter Forest.

The decision by the Lake District National Park Authority to surface a four-mile stretch of the storm-damaged Keswick to Threlkeld Railway Trail with asphalt led Keswick Town Council to pass a motion of no confidence in the authority.

The authority also came under fire earlier this year after its chief executive Richard Leafe argued the Lake District should be “an inclusive destination, not an exclusive one”. While many supported the call – in particular to help lure younger visitors to the area – others raised fears the national park could become a “theme park”.

The never-ending tussle between the Lake District’s economy and environment hit international headlines in 2018 when Treetop Trek's withdrew its plans for a zip wire across Thirlmere following strong opposition.