NEW plans to improve staff accommodation for a Lake District hotel have been given the go-ahead after previous proposals were turned down for their ‘overbearing’ impact.

The Lake District National Park Authority has approved plans from GGE Ltd to extend two properties on Helm Close in Bowness to provide additional floor area for two houses of multiple occupancy (HMOs).

The homes were purchased with the former Burnside Hotel, now called Lakes Hotel and Spa.

According to planning documents, the proposed additional floor area was to allow for a ‘significant increase’ in bedroom sizes.

Plans state: “As the increased area is utilized to make the accommodation larger there is no increase in the number of rooms but all are better quality and standard.”

The LDNPA rejected the previous proposals and said the proposed extensions would result in the ‘loss of privacy’ and would have an ‘overbearing’ impact on neighbouring properties.

The decision notice said: “The application would therefore fail to avoid an unacceptable impact on the amenity of adjoining residents.”

However, planning documents say this reduced scheme has a two-storey extension which is three metres deep (reduced from 4.5m), and the extension to the other property is reduced to three metres deep and only single storey.

Planning documents say the bedroom sizes are small by modern standards and there is only one bathroom and kitchen per property.

The design, access and heritage statement says: “The proposal is to extend both properties providing additional floor area, this will allow for a significant increase in bedroom sizes, and making some of them into suites with their own ensuites.”

A report from LDNPA planning officers says the proposed extension would be ‘in keeping’ with the character of the area.

The report concludes: “Overall, I am satisfied that the development proposed is acceptable in terms of its impact on the character and appearance of the area and would conserve and enhance the setting of the Bowness-on-Windermere Conservation Area and the nearby Grade II listed buildings.”

The LDNPA approved the application on July 25.