A former Keswick garage is to be given a new lease of life after permission was granted for it to become an outdoor adventure venue.
The go-ahead has been given by the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) for the one-time vehicle repair premises to become home to the new venture.
The former Ken Taylor Automotive petrol station is currently home to the Filling Station Cafe which opened in 2011 and will remain unaffected by the changes. The vehicle servicing and repair garage to the rear ceased being used some years ago.
The building will now serve Keswick Adventures and its primary use will be a kit store for the company, where participants will meet, get changed, and be briefed on activities.
A small space would act as an office and there will be occasional indoor activities taking place such as axe throwing and archery.
There was some concern from a neighbour and Keswick Town Council over a proposal to paint the building black but it has been agreed that it will remain white to blend in with other properties in the locality.
A neighbour had also raised concerns about the noise that would be generated by a new air conditioning unit and it was suggested by a LDNPA planning officer who considered the proposal that Cumberland Council’s environmental health be consulted about the impact of this element of the application. The applicant has since confirmed that the unit is now no longer required
Four letters of objection were received that raised the following concerns:
- The external staircase could be used as a smoking area or as another main entrance impacting on nearby residents;
- The external staircase would afford views into neighbouring properties.
- The stairs could impact vehicle access and turning areas, particularly emergency service vehicles who may need to reach the residential properties behind the premises.
- A proposed new window would lead to overlooking into neighbouring properties.
- The proposed external air conditioning unit on the east elevation could lead to unacceptable levels of noise on the neighbouring properties.
- The painting of the building black would impact on the character of the area.
The planning officer pointed out that the building is set back from Crosthwaite Road and is not prominent in the street scene.
He said that the alterations proposed were modest in terms of their overall effect on the appearance of the building and would not materially change its non-traditional appearance and was satisfied it was acceptable in terms of its impact on the character and appearance of the area.
The officer said that a mezzanine window would face the front windows of Markholme Cottages, about 12 metres away, and would cause a degree of overlooking and associated impact on amenity but added that the distance between the existing and new windows is well below the standards set out in the design code for domestic window to window overlooking.
