An objection has been raised by Keswick Town Council to a former hair salon in the town being converted into a short-term holiday let.
It has been previously reported in the Reminder that Headquarters, at the junction of Blencathra Street and Myers Street, had been operating as an Airbnb without permission with enforcement action having been taken by the Lake District National Park Authority.
The owners of the property have now lodged a planning application with the LDNPA to make the conversion permanent — but this is being opposed by the town council which would prefer the property to be converted into a local needs dwelling.
Members of the town council heard that the floor area of the building was 34 square metres. It is argued that this is below the minimum floor space of 50 square metres for new homes (applicable for two person dwellings) but can be 39 square metres for one person dwelling.
Councillors heard this is a standard applied to new dwellings but lower floor areas have previously been approved for conversion with four one person flats at Banks Court (29sq m) and four one person flats at Otley Road (33sq m) being given the go ahead.
Town council planning committee chairman Duncan Miller said: “It might not be the biggest property but I am sure one person living in Blencathra Street would be very happy with 34 metres.”
A LDNPA spokesman said: “In summer last year it came to our attention that Headquarters was unlawfully being used as a holiday cottage, let through Airbnb.
“We served an enforcement notice requiring the unlawful use to cease shortly after. The landowner complied promptly. A planning application for holiday letting use has since been made and it will be assessed on its merits in due course.”
