Plans for two staff accommodation buildings at a Lake District restaurant and hotel is to be scrutinised by the national park authority’s development control committee.
Broadrayne Farm’s proposal has faced opposition from Grasmere Village Society.
Mary Bass, secretary, says in a representation on behalf of the society that the detached, timber-framed units would be an ‘incongruous addition’ to the countryside location.
“The development would result in harm to the visual amenity of residents and visitors, including in views from the surrounding common land and main road,” she says.
Broadrayne Farm, which sits around one mile to the north of Grasmere, offers hotel and cottage accommodation as well as a restaurant.
A heritage, design and access statement submitted as part of the application says the ‘greatest challenge and desire’ for rural staff is to be on site or in accommodation nearby.
“Due to the high demand for tourist/guest accommodation, there is no provision for staff accommodation in nearby Grasmere, and it is likely that this problem will continue to be exacerbated,” says the statement.
Lakes Parish Council has recommended the proposal, which would accommodate four members of staff, for refusal.
Council clerk and finance officer Charlene Iredale says in an email on the national park authority planning portal: “The appearance of the building in this elevated position in the open countryside and location will appear to be detached from the main farmstead and be visually intrusive.
“The proposed building will not enhance or conserve the character of the surrounding environment and landscape.”
Chris Kempster, planner, has advised the Lake District National Park Authority’s development control committee to approve the application – submitted by Mr D Keighley – when it meets on Wednesday.
Mr Kempster acknowledges the staff accommodation units at the site would be visible from the A591 despite being partially screened by mature trees.
“There would also be more distant views from the fells,” he says in a report. “The units would be seen within the farm complex, with a number of stone buildings and other ancillary timber buildings nearby. Their appearance would not appear incongruous within the farmstead context.
“The scale of the buildings would be modest in comparison to the other buildings within the farm complex.”
