A LAKE District guesthouse can be used for residential purposes after planners at the national park authority approved the change of use.
The application was for 4 Westwood, Ellerthwaite Road, in Windermere, and according to the officer’s report no external alterations were proposed.
The report states Windermere and Bowness Town Council made no comment and it adds: “The policy states that we will support the change of use of holiday accommodation to other uses where it can be demonstrated there is no demand for it resulting from an appropriate marketing exercise and other evidence.”
According to the report the building is a semi-detached property containing five bedrooms and served by a small rear garden.
It adds: “Given the existing level of activity associated with the use of the building as a guesthouse, along with the context of the site, I am satisfied that the proposed use of the building as a permanent dwelling would not be likely to bring about unacceptable adverse impacts on the living conditions of neighbouring properties.
“It is possible that the use of the building as a permanent dwelling may reduce the levels of movement at the site.
“Even if two of the property’s five bedrooms continue to be let out for bed and breakfast accommodation, this would be likely to result in a reduction in the levels of movement at the site, as compared with the existing authorised use as a four-bed guesthouse with owner’s accommodation.”
According to the report the officer was satisfied that the building was of a suitable size and served by an appropriate level of outdoor amenity space to secure an acceptable level of amenity for future users of the proposed development.
The report concludes that, regarding the provisions of the development plan, in particular Lake District National Park Local Plan Policies, the development was considered to be acceptable, subject to recommended conditions.