Lakeland author Beatrix Potter would have objected to the siting of a large modern ‘shed’ at her Hill Top home, say objectors.

They hit out at a National Trust plans to keep the temporary building permanently in place at the Near Sawrey site made famous by the passionate conservationist who bequeathed 4,000 acres of land to the charity.

The modern ‘timber-clad’ building sited next to the Hill Top gift shop has been used for extra storage and office space after temporary planning permission was granted three years ago. 

At a meeting in Kendal on Wednesday, Lake District National Park planners met to rule on whether it could stay.

Claife Parish Council objected, writing: “Beatrix Potter herself would surely have objected to the siting of this “shed” as she looked out of her writing room or from her garden.”

Measuring 33ft long x 10ft wide and at just over 9ft tall, the building stands in an ‘elevated’ position and has UPVC glazing with a steel roof, planners heard.

It was visible from the ‘historic residential heart of the village’ said the council, as well as from Potter’s marital home at nearby Castle Cottage.

“The National Trust has always claimed that the siting and setting of the visitor entrance was to allow visitors to imagine how it would have been to come and go to Hill Top when Beatrix Potter was alive; to mimic her experience. With the cluttering of the site with this additional building this is no longer possible,” wrote the council.

National park area planner Jackie Ratcliffe said the building had a ‘very limited effect’ on Hill Top and recommended it be allowed to stay.

She said objectors had complained of a lack of consultation with claims made that residents with National Trust tenancies were afraid to object.

John Moffatt of the National Trust, denied this was the case. “I deeply resent the implication that tenants are afraid to speak up – that’s absolutely not the case.”

He told park planners that an open evening to discuss the building was held in August but was not well attended. He believed the ‘well-designed’ building had helped solve a crucial space issue at site visited by more than 100,000 people a year.
“We spent a very long time trying to get it right and we think what we have put in place is appropriate and correct. We know very well that living next to such an iconic visitor attraction can be a challenge for residents,” said Mr Moffatt.
National park planners unanimously agreed to let the building stay.
Kensington-born Potter died aged 77 in 1943 and bequeathed 4,000 acres and 14 farms to the National Trust, which now runs Hill Top.