Consultants Mott MacDonald has been chosen to draw up a concept masterplan for the Windermere station area to create a transformational welcomes to the Lake District.

Part of the Windermere Gateway project, jointly led by Westmorland and Furness Council, Lake District National Park Authority, National Trust and their developer Urban Splash, the project seeks to unlock opportunities for a mix of new homes, jobs and sustainable transport connections.

The council’s Local Transport Grant allocation is funding the project, giving £150k towards the design work and improvement delivery.

The masterplan features high-quality station and public realm while delivering heritage-sensitive design within the Conservation Area and World Heritage Site.

Jonathon Brook, council leader and cabinet member for the economy says: “Sensitively creating an enhanced gateway to the Lake District World Heritage Site, through a redeveloped station and transport hub, is a critical component of the Windermere Gateway project. Creating this vision will put us in a much stronger position when lobbying for funding to make this a reality.”

Measures to enhance passenger experience, sustainability and climate resilience will also be explored.