Conservation status sought to protect Windermere

Documents said the area was "highly significant" for its ancient woodland and "individual specimen trees"

Conservation status is being sought for the eastern shore of England's largest lake.

The Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) said it had sought conservation area status for a boundary of Windermere.

Conservation areas are defined in the 1967 Civic Amenities Act as "areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance".

Authority documents said the area, dubbed "Windermere Villas" was "highly significant for its tracts of ancient woodland and individual specimen trees".

The LDNPA said the area was mapped out with special consideration to the many historic villas in the boundary, such the grounds of the 18th Century Storrs estate.

Being designated as a conservation area means that relevant park authorities have further control of construction within its boundaries.

Windermere Villas

There are currently 23 such areas within the Lake District, including the Rydal, Ravenglass and Troutbeck conservation areas.

Windermere Villas is planned to stretch along the east side of its namesake, from Curlew Crag, just off the coast of Belle Isle, down to Dog Nag in the south.

The plans have been put in place to "encourage the conservation, repair, reuse and management of the area's historic features" and "aid residents and developers in their planning of both small alterations and larger scale developments".

The LDNPA will meet on 7 August to agree on the area boundaries, with a six-week public consultation due in the autumn.