Plans for a Lake District tap room by a Cumbrian brewery have been approved.
Lakes Brew Co, based in Kendal, wants to open the tap room in Ambleside.
It lodged a change of use application and asked for listed building consent with the Lake District National Park Authority in April.
The authority approved its plans on July 28.
The application attracted objections from Lakes Parish Council and two residents.
Lakes Parish Council objected because it feared the tap room would have a negative impact on the predominantly residential area, with excess noise and ‘rowdy drinkers’. It added that it the plans would also not be proportionate to the character of the area’s historic setting.
The company, which initially submitted a planning application for the venue last October, withdrew its original proposals and submitted this application for the listed building on advice and its plans would help futureproof the Old Mill.
Its application said: “The Old Mill is steeped in Ambleside history from the old tanning mill to the Ambleside pottery movement and they are working to preserve it for years to come.
“In time, the operators intend to fix the currently dilapidated, broken water wheel and carefully bring the garden back to a glorious centre piece that Ambleside can be proud of.”
When it revealed the plans last year, Michelle Gay, co-founder, said: “We are constantly being asked when are you going to open a permanent tap room, and that time is now. A flagship venue, in the heart of the Lakes.”
Lakes Brew Co said its hope was to create a vibrant, inclusive, family friendly social space for locals and visitors, blending the modern and traditional parts of the area.
It said it will offer and showcase a range of its own award-winning craft beers, all brewed and packaged at the brewery within 14 miles of the new premises, alongside other new drinks, creating a comprehensive offer to suit all tastes.
For the last two years, Lakes Brew Co has successfully run a pop-up tap space once a month in the brewery on the Mintsfeet Industrial Estate in Kendal.
It said those will still go ahead.
One of the kitchens at the former Ambleside cafe would be refitted to provide toilets, with a disabled toilet proposed for the lower level.
