VISITORS to Bowness will soon be able to enjoy outdoor entertainment in a new purpose-built venue.

The Lake District National Park Authority has granted South Lakeland District Council permission to build a new performance area on the Glebe to replace the original Victorian bandstand which was knocked down after it was damaged by vandalism last year.

The new structure takes its inspiration from the natural world and includes a copper-covered leaf-shaped roof and steel tree-like supports. The materials will help give it a natural feel and blend in with the surroundings. It will be much larger than the original at about almost 30ft across with a roof height of around 17ft.

The scheme is a joint venture by SLDC, the Lakes Market Towns Initiative and Windermere Parish Council. It has been designed by Ulverston-based designer Chris Brammall and will be used for open-air theatre and exhibitions as well as music.

The LDNPA's development control committee originally considered the scheme in September when they decided to visit the site before determining the plans.

The district council had initially wanted to build the performance area about 50 metres away from the bandstand's site at the foot of the slope where the contours of the land would have created a natural arena for spectators.

But the authority's planning officers felt this would have made the venue too prominent in views of the lake and the listed Belsfield Hotel and they persuaded the applicants to move it further up the hill.

National park planning officer Rachel Nutman told the development control committee that the amended plans were now acceptable and members agreed.