Proposals to convert a former water treatment plant into an 18-bedroom hotel in the Lake District have taken a step forward.
Members of the development control committee for the Lake District National Park yesterday voted to give the green light for proposals to convert Pearsall House, on the western shore of Windermere, into an 18-bedroom hotel.
The proposals are now subject to a satisfactory response from United Utilities regarding drainage which the head of development management will assess and subsequently decide whether to approve.
The applicant, Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group, has also been granted permission to add a hipped roof and to create 24 car parking spaces for the hotel.
However the plans faced objection from residents and parish councils concerned over wastewater management and overdevelopment.
In a report prepared for Wednesday’s meeting, Windermere Town Council state: “The western shore of Windermere has retained its quiet, unspoiled ambience which would be harmed irrevocably by the introduction of an hotel on this lakeside site.”
Local resident John Beckitt told committee members: “Pearsall House is a large building on a small plot so the building almost touches the adjacent Ferry House, looks directly into Ferry House bedrooms and overshadows and deprives Ferry House bedrooms of light.”
He added the building blocks out views of the lake to the south and said hotel guests will overflow into the Ferry House gardens and damage the lake shore.
Julian Handy, an agent speaking on behalf of the applicant, said: “The site has constraints but it is about finding the best sustainable employment solution and my client is looking to have staff on the site to maintain it, but it has to be sustainable.
“We work on a number of leisure facilities around the lake and this we feel is one that will be a successful project going forward.”
Pearsall House is located on a peninsula on the western shore of Windermere at the chain ferry landing, next to Ferry House. It is currently empty having last been occupied by the Freshwater Biological Association.
Member of the development committee Jim Jackson said he was conscious of concerns over the level of foul water and traffic but stated the importance of refurbishing the building.
He said: “We’ve got a commercial building that’s not being used, is already showing signs of deterioration and I think could show significantly more signs.
“The site itself is in a poor state, some of the trees have fallen over and the bin store is pretty poor.
“It’s been on the market twice and this feels like a good proposal to bring up to standard what could potentially become a significant eyesore on a really important part of the lake.”
However, he added that he was concerned over the potential future addition of a kitchen on the back wall of the property as extractor fans would be outside the adjacent property.
He added: “I would be particularly keen that any external kitchen works would have to come back to us for review.”
Members of the committee applied additional conditions relating to any external kitchen works and any internal kitchenettes in rooms with the exception of staff rooms needing prior approval.
Members also added the condition of a soft barrier between adjacent residential property Ferry House and Pearsall House.
