Advert boards would 'clutter' national park

Permission to put up prominent signs for Low Wood Resort and Spa has been turned down

Plans to erect advertising boards in England's largest national park have been refused by planners who said it would introduce an "unacceptable level of clutter".

The Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) turned down an application from English Lakes Hotels Ltd to put up boards at three sites on the A591 for the Low Wood Bay Resort and Spa, near Ambleside.

Planning documents said the proposed scheme would "enhance the business" and would "not cause harm" to the amenity of the area.

However, park planners ruled the proposed signs north of the hotel access would be "harmful" to the surrounding area due to their size, illumination and prominence.

The applicant had also proposed placing adverts at the watersports and marina access, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The LDNPA decision notice said the signs would "add an unacceptable level of clutter to this location on the lakeshore".