An appeal process has been launched against the refusal of an application by a Grasmere hotel to build a new car park on agricultural land.

The Inn Collection Group (ICG), which owns the Grade II listed Swan Hotel on Keswick Road, submitted an application in November 2020 to create 53 additional car parking spaces but it was rejected by the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) after 22 representations were made, all objecting to the proposal.

ICG officially submitted an appeal, which became valid on April 22, and all statements of objection or support are due to be submitted by Friday, May 27.

LDNPA initially refused the application based on two main factors that would be in contravention of their planning policies, which LDNPA set out in their decision notice.

"The proposals would be prominent in many views and they would not maintain or enhance local distinctiveness, sense of place or tranquility and as a consequence would impact negatively on the relevant Lake District World Heritage Site attributes," it said.

The notice also refers to the impact on two particular houses close to the proposed development.

"The car park would come to within approximately 20 metres of the boundary of West View and the dwelling, and the car park access would be immediately opposite to the rear garden of Helm Cottage," it said.

"The proposals would unacceptably impact on the amenity of these adjacent residents due to the additional activity, noise and disturbance, visual intrusion, overlooking and light pollution, from the vehicle and their occupants, both guests and deliveries."

In stating their case for appeal, ICG insists that any loss of grazing land or impact in the area is minimal, and would be offset by the highway safety benefits of closing access to the existing car park and moving it to the proposed site, and that:

"There are public benefits associated with the development proposal which would be more than sufficient to outweigh any limited landscape and visual harm which may arise from the new car park," said ICG.

The document states that the objections raised by the two affected houses are "vague and generalised assertions", and that the "proposed development would not result in harmful impacts on the amenity of occupants of West View and Helm Cottage."

For all documents and information related to this appeal, click here.

For an appeal form, click here

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