Windermere water research building to be turned into hotel

The site was said to be in a poor state

A former water research building will be converted into an 18-bedroom hotel after plans were approved.

The Lake District National Park Authority agreed plans to redevelop the vacant Pearsall House in Windermere, Cumbria, on Wednesday.

Windermere Town Council opposed the plans and claimed the local area would be "harmed irrevocably".

Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group, which lodged the plans, said it would be a "successful project".

The park authority also approved plans for the developer to create 24 car parking spaces at the site.

However, residents and the town council raised concerns over the impact on neighbouring properties.

Windermere resident John Beckitt said it would "overshadow and deprive" nearby Ferry House of natural light.

Further concerns were aired over its waste management plans, which are yet to be decided by United Utilities.

The park authority's development committee member Jim Jackson said they were aware of concerns but said it was important to refurbish the site.

"The site itself is in a poor state, some of the trees have fallen over and the bin store is pretty poor," he said.

"It's been on the market twice and this feels like a good proposal to bring up to standard what could potentially become a significant eyesore on a really important part of the lake."

Julian Handy, on behalf of the developer, said: "We work on a number of leisure facilities around the lake and this we feel is one that will be a successful project going forward."

The building was once a laboratory for the Freshwater Biological Association.