PLANS to provide holiday accommodation above a village shop in a bid to support the business in south Cumbria have been turned down as the proposals would cause ‘harm’ to the character of the area.

Westmorland and Furness Council has refused a planning application from Levens Village Shop to construct an extension to provide holiday accommodation above the existing store on Main Street.

A decision notice issued by the council states: “The proposed first-floor extension would be unduly prominent in the streetscene due to its flat-roof design and position forward of the existing residential dwelling and would cause harm to the form and character of the area.”

The proposed extension would be above the flat roof of the shop and parking would be provided in the existing car park.

A design and access statement says: “The proposals are for an extension to the commercial activities of the village shop by providing diversification of the business for the provision of short stay holiday let accommodation.”

According to planning documents the proposed short-stay holiday let would provide additional income to ‘safeguard’ the existing business as well as additional employment.

The proposals received two representations in support of the application and one objection.

One comment in support said: “The diversification will support the continued viability of the village shop and hence the community heart of our village.”

Another said: "We fully support this application as it will be of advantage to the shop which is at the heart of Levens village community."

However, an objection labelled the design of the proposed extension as ‘visually intrusive’.

Plans add the extension would utilise natural timber cladding with a flat roof which would emphasise the ‘lightweight nature’ of the extension and provides a contrast to the older parts of the building.

Westmorland and Furness Council refused the application on April 29.