ANGRY residents turned out in force to oppose plans to turn the former residence of Beatrix Potter into a holiday home - against the terms of her will.

Castle Cottage in Near Sawrey, where the world famous children’s author died in 1943, is currently empty.

The National Trust has submitted plans to the Lake District National Park Authority to refurbish it and make it available to holidaymakers.

At a meeting of Claife Parish Council on Tuesday, scores of residents voiced concerns at the proposal, claiming there were already too many holiday and second homes in the area.

They said Beatrix Potter’s will requested that her properties be offered to local people at affordable rents.

Near Sawrey resident Richard Morris Shauol said: “Beatrix Potter would be extremely annoyed if she knew of the National Trust’s plans. It is a blatant disregard for local people.”

Ann Crabtree said: “The National Trust should have a duty to protect the communities that allow them to make money.

“If the National Trust make it into a holiday home they will inevitably advertise it as the former home of Beatrix Potter and that will lead to more tourists coming to visit a village that already has problems with the existing attraction at Hill Top.”

Trust property manager John Moffat said: “Castle Cottage has been empty since January and that has given us the chance to look at all the options.

“We understand the wider issue of affordable housing in the South Lakes, but we feel it is the right decision.

“I am more than happy to go back and look at renting the property out privately, but that will be as a five bedroom property, which is inevitably expensive.”

Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron said: “Making Castle Cottage into a holiday home does not adhere to Beatrix Potter’s will.

"Coupled with the critical problem of affordable housing means you run the risk of killing the goose that laid the golden egg.”