Controversial plans to build three new homes in a Lake District town have been rejected.
Watch This Space wanted to build the two-bedroom houses in the car park of Windermere Business Centre. But officers from the Lake District National Park Authority turned down the application.
A decision notice from the local authority said: “The proposed building as a result of its size, form, positioning of windows and proximity to neighbouring properties would lead to an unacceptable impact on residential amenity due to overlooking and its overbearing appearance.”
The notice added the proposals were refused due to the impact the development would have on parking in the area.
It said: “The proposal would result in the loss of six spaces from the existing parking provision for the business centre and would provide one fewer dedicated parking space for the proposed development than indicated by the Cumbria Design Guide.
“The shortfall in parking spaces is likely to result in the displacement of residents and visitors’ cars to nearby streets in an area which is known to have an on-street parking problem.”
The plans received 27 letters of objection as well as a recommendation for refusal by Windermere and Bowness Town Council.
The town council said: “The modern flat-roof design and choice of materials are unacceptable in this location within Windermere’s Conservation Area, being entirely out of keeping with the vernacular style of the immediate area and of Windermere as a whole.
“The proximity of the proposed dwellings to the existing semi-detached properties immediately to the south west would have an overbearing effect on their amenity and privacy.
But Watch This Space said there was a need for local occupancy homes and the three houses were small in scale and could be delivered quickly.
It added: “The proposed new residences will, therefore, diversify the demographic profile and introduce a smaller, lower-cost type of housing that will attract individuals and small families that will utilise local services and facilities and add vitality and vibrancy to the community.”
