A Keswick B&B has lodged plans to become a self-catering holiday let – while two others in the same street will find out if they can do so next week.
The latest bid comes from Roy Collie, of an address in Leyland, Lancs, who is seeking permission from the Lake District National Park Authority for the change of use of the eight-bedroom Amble House, 23 Eskin Street.
No comments have been received on the application, which was registered with the LDNPA in the last week.
At next Wednesday’s meeting of the national park authority’s development control committee, applications for Rowan Tree Guest House, at 37 Eskin Street, and Cranford House, at 18 Eskin Street, are also set to be decided.
Rowan Tree owner Paul Brannen is seeking flexibility from planners over how he uses his five-bed tourism business, depending on the time of year.
He wants to use Rowan Tree as either a guest house; a short term holiday let; or a short term holiday let run with owners/managers accommodation included.
The change requires no internal or external alterations, Mr Brannen has told park planners.
Also on the agenda for a decision is the plan for Cranford House.
Sarah Ludar-Smith, a Penrith-based director of holiday lets, is seeking change of use permission for the seven-bed guest house.
The plan is to use Cranford House as either self-catering holiday let accommodation or for residential use.
National park planning officers are recommending its panel of members approves both applications when they sit at Murley Moss on December 6.
Consultees Keswick Town Council object to the plans for the Rowan Tree, but indicate support if the use only includes owners/managers accommodation.
The town council only supports Cranford House becoming a residential property. A single other objector has opposed both applications.
They believe there is no demand for more holiday lets in Keswick and wrote that the planned changes did not benefit the community.
They wrote: “Holiday lets in this area cause problems of noise and parking.”
The change from traditional owner-operated guest houses and B&Bs to “unmanaged” holiday lets, sometimes housing large single groups, has seen concerns raised about creating unchecked disturbances in residential areas.
Planners said that there is permission already in place, approved back in October 2021, for Rowan Tree to operate as self-catering holiday accommodation should it wish.
Of the plan for Cranford House, planners said: “When occupied as a permanent residential property there would be a reduction in units of holiday accommodation.
“The proliferation of holiday accommodation in Keswick, and specifically in this part of Keswick, means that a reduction in a single unit of accommodation would not represent a detrimental impact on the range of visitor accommodation types in the area.”
