Radical multi-million pound plans for Keswick's old pencil factory site have been unveiled.

The £5 million Derwent Project has been launched by Keswick Ministries.

The aim is for the land to be the base for the annual Christian convention which attracts around 12,000 people to the town for three weeks every summer.

The Ministries have launched a drive to raise the money needed over the next three years.

An artist’s impression of how the site might look shows it landscaped with lawns and a walkway with several large marquees.

It has prompted fears that the land could lie unused for most of the year.

Keswick mayor Paul Titley said: “At the moment, we do not know the exact plans of Keswick Convention, but we will be having regular meetings with them over the development of behalf of local residents.

“Converting it into another elegant permanent structure with a year-round use has to be a good thing.

“As I understand it, the first phase will involve tents and the second phase will involve a permanent structure. We have a long way to go.”

Keswick Ministries say the site will be used year-round and that final plans have yet to be drawn up.

Jonathan Lamb, chief executive and minister-at-large with Keswick Ministries, said the design did not represent how the completed project will look.

He explains: “That is just a sketch for present conventioners to have some idea of what it might look like.

“It is to capture their imaginations about what an integrated site for a summer event might look like – since we are entirely dependent on their financial help to make anything happen.

“People think that is what it is going to look like forever and have asked ‘where are the permanent buildings?’

“But we have had no discussions yet as to what the site will be developed into.

"We will be setting up a project group to discuss it and we will talk with the authorities and have a full consultation process.

“We are now in listening mode. We have no fixed plans at this stage with regard to how the site might be developed, but are keen to ensure it not only serves the cause of the charity and continues to bring tourists to the town, but that any development is appropriate to that part of town.”

The initial work of landscaping will take place over the coming year, it is hoped that some events will take place on the new site next summer with the main event being based there in 2017.

The factory site has been derelict since Derwent Pencils relocated to Lillyhall Industrial estate in 2008, ending more than 170 years of pencil production in Keswick.

The Pencil Museum will remain on the original site.

The Derwent Project could lead to the development of new homes on the current Convention site in Skiddaw Road.

Mr Lamb adds: “There are currently no immediate plans to dispose of our Skiddaw Street site, since this site will be needed to sustain the convention’s operations for the next year or two.

“In the future, we recognise that the site might be developed for alternative purposes compatible with the locality, and will discuss this with the appropriate authorities in due course.”

BBC Radio 4 is recording Sunday Worship at the Convention, and BBC 1 will be on site to record Songs of Praise next Wednesday.

Free tickets for the recording are available from Keswick Convention office, Skiddaw Street, Keswick CA12 4BY.

It will be broadcast on August 16.

For more details about the Derwent Project and the Songs of Praise programme, visit www.keswickministries.org