Keswick Ministries, whose annual convention attracts thousands of Christians to the town, has revealed plans to create apartments to serve the town’s growing Airbnb market.
But Keswick councillors have bristled at the idea and suggested national park planners impose a condition that it be ring-fenced for use by local people and those working in the town.
Keswick Ministries have applied to the national park to convert nine garages at the rear of its former convention centre on Skiddaw Street into “additional accommodation”.
Officials confirmed this week it would not be solely for Airbnb but visiting groups and volunteers too.
Chief operating officer David Sawday told the Reminder: “The garages were used for storage but since we have moved to the old pencil factory the opportunity has arisen to convert them into extra accommodation.
“The centre has always been used to house volunteers during the convention, and the new apartments will provide additional space for them and for visiting
groups.
“But when they are not in use, we see no reason not to let them out to visitors to the town through Airbnb.”
But Keswick Town Council opposes that idea due to the housing crisis.
Members said that, given the problems faced by local people and workers finding places to live in Keswick, any new dwellings should be ring-fenced for local occupancy.
Members said the apartments could be ideal for helping those in need of short-term accommodation or struggling to get a foot on the housing ladder — either because of the shortage of rental properties or the town’s soaring house prices.
Cllr Steve Harwood, head of the town council’s planning group, said: “We object if the intended use is as holiday letting accommodation and we’ve said that because we have heard some of the existing apartments already on the existing Skiddaw building are advertised as Airbnb.”
Airbnb — which allows property owners to let out particular rooms or entire homes — has been blamed for decimating the rental market for people needing to live or work in popular towns.
Cllr Daniels, a member of the Keswick Community Housing Trust, said: “This type of accommodation could be a short-term lease. That would be very helpful to people who have moved into town or need to live in the town and need a short-term stepping stone.
“I would like them to think about that very seriously. I would much rather see that than it being used as Airbnb.”
Cllr Adam Paxon said if the town was more remote with little accommodation locally, he could understand the need of the Ministries to provide accommodation, but he said Keswick offered “endless” accommodation options for convention goers.
The convention attracts Christians from all over the UK and from around the world, and has been held at Skiddaw Street since 1987.
This year, however, the Ministries moved to new premises at the former Cumberland Pencils factory in Main Street.
Mr Sawday said: “The town council can advise on whether it objects or supports the application, but the decision rests with the LDNPA, so we will wait for their ruling.”
The Keswick Convention began in 1875 as a focal point for the Higher Life movement in the UK, and was first held in a tent on the lawn of St John’s vicarage.