PERMISSION to turn a hotel in a South Lakeland village into apartments is being sought.

Ian Kelly wants to convert the Fishermans Arms at Baycliff due, say planning documents, to the 'unviable' nature of the current business. 

The hotel, which is near Ulverston, currently contains six rooms with en suites, an apartment in which the owners – Mr Kelly and his wife – live, and a restaurant and bar. The plan would see internal alterations made to turn the site into nine apartments.

A design and access statement submitted by Lee Wren Architect in support of the application says the hotel has experienced a 'substantial reduction' in business since before the Covid pandemic 'believed, in part, to be due to the construction of several large budget hotels in the area'.

It says the building is in an 'unkept state' as the 'unviability of the business has reduced available funds for building maintenance'.

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The statement argues that the proposal would, through the introduction of 'a more affordable and smaller housing type', provide 'further housing options for local people and first-time buyers'.

Currently, the hotel offers provision for around 20 vehicles in unmarked bays. The new plan features 19 spaces, 17 for occupants and two for visitors. The plan also includes a secure cycle store with five spaces.

The scheme would see a one-storey extension – infilling an alley – built to the rear of the building, and a one-storey extension built over the existing toilet block.

It would see an outdoor seating area retained for the use of residents and the 'refurbishment of the existing building facades, including the roof' to 'bring elements in line with current building standards'. The final appearance of the building would be a reserved matter.

"Level entrances will be retained into ground-floor flats along the north facade," says the design and access statement. 

"Existing steps will be retained into the front-facing entrance as to create compliant level access would detrimentally alter the character of the existing building."

The statement says it would 'not be financially viable' to incorporate a lift within the proposed development.