Supporters have started to emerge to back hugely controversial plans to demolish a landmark Lake District property on the shores of Derwentwater.
The application by home owner Jag Chana, to demolish the “dilapidated” four-bed, two-storey Brandlehow Cottage at Manesty, and build a modern exemplar low-carbon replacement home, has come under sustained fire.
Supporter Charlotte Scott has told the LDNPA that the new design is an improvement. She wrote: “The green roofs and planted dry stone walling is going to attract fauna more than is there presently and I am pleased that the new owners are going to leave a low carbon footprint and removing the oil tank which is not good for the environment and is also an eyesore since it is visible from the path. I am in the area a lot having loved holidaying in the Lake District for decades.”
And supporter Anna Mori added: “This house is just another example of a stone rendered cottage with no particular stand-out features. The new plans to rebuild are similar to the Rigg Beck development in the Newlands valley which looks like it has been there for hundreds of years. I see no reason why this development should not go through in the same way.”
Jan Stern said: “As a regular visitor to the area I often stay at the Borrowdale Caravan Park. I have regularly bumped into the new owners of Brandlehow cottage who were on one occasion picking up all the litter left by tourists on the lakeshore. I think any detrimental effect on the environment is by the behaviour of thousands of tourists and not by the design and build of an eco-friendly home which serves only to help the environment.”
However, following its most recent meeting, Borrowdale Parish Council has tabled a formal objection after hearing strong opposition to the proposed development.
It has told park planners that the design is not in keeping with the area; that it would have a negative impact on the World Heritage Site, and described the description of the building as being dilapidated as a “gross misrepresentation”.
Joining in the debate has been Kerry Irving, of Max and Paddy fame, who runs the Max Out In The Lake District page on Facebook. In a video, Mr Irving said: “It gets me so angry that we are going to lose these quirky little buildings. This is what makes the national park – not modernistic style houses.”
