Plans unveiled for £4m Windermere events venue

English Lakes Hotels has unveiled plans for a £4m Windermere Convention Centre at Low Wood.

The firm already obtained planning permission in 2004 for a 600-seat venue, but is now poised to seek permission for a new environmentally friendly contemporary design.

Architects have incorporated a masted structure and makes use of designs used in the marine sector around the lake.

“We think these new designs will enable us to create a building that will be both functional and visually stunning,” said Tim Berry, director at English Lakes Hotels.

“It is a building that will enhance this part of the lake shore and which the Lake District can be proud of.”

The development, which would have a 750 square metre conference hall, and would create five full-time and 30 part-time jobs, would be completed by 2012 should planning permission be granted.

The design contains num-erous enviromental features, including an innovative heating system that would use ground source heat pumps to extract thermal energy from the lake.

The heat pumps would run on electricity generated from solar panels located on the roof.

Lights would include movement sensors to reduce energy consumption.

“We are strongly committed to ensuring this new building fits in with its location at the heart of the Lake District both in terms of its appearance and its impact on the environment,” said Mr Berry.

“This will be one of the first buildings in the country to be heated by this type of innovative, eco-friendly sys-tem.”

The convention centre would significantly increase the business facilities at the Low Wood Hotel, which currently includes nine meeting rooms, the largest accommodating 340 guests.

Mr Berry said the facility would be larger than Rheged at Penrith and would allow the region to attract more large events.

“This new centre will enable us to bring national and international events and functions to the most beau-tiful part of the country.”