STAFF from the Fresh-water Biological Association look set to stay working on the shores of Windermere after Lake District planners gave permission for vacant offices to be converted into 13 flats.

The association, which is regarded as a world authority on freshwater plants and animals, has been based at Ferry House next to the ferry terminal at Far Sawrey since 1932, using the lake as its own natural laboratory.

But most of its 80 staff were relocated to a new environmental centre at Lancaster University in 2002 following a government restructuring and rationalisation programme.

The association wants the remaining 20 staff to stay at Ferry House. But with 1,600 square metres of office space now vacant, the cost of running the large Victorian property was threatening to force them out, ending the association's long connection with the area.

The Lake District National Park Authority's Chief Principal Planner David Buylla said the association had tried hard to find a commercial user for the property. But when none could be found they decided to apply for permission to convert the main building for residential use to ensure the future of their remaining operation on the site.

He told the authority's development control committee: "The scheme would ensure that the FBA would stay on the site, which, as its laboratory is effectively the lake, would be desirable. Otherwise it would be forced to move to Lancaster University."

The proposal will see the creation of 13 apartments in Ferry House and the extension and alteration of a modern annexe known as the Pearsall Building to house the remaining FBA staff. The main building will include two one-bedroom flats, nine two-bedroom flats and two three-bedroom flats.

Mr Buylla said that the site was considered too small for a hotel use and, though policy was generally opposed to new residential buildings in the open countryside, the conversion plans would require minimal work and were acceptable.

He recommended that the plans be approved with a condition restricting occupancy to people living or working in the adjacent parishes - Lakes, Windermere, Skelwith, Hawkshead, Claife and Satterthwaite and the committee agreed.