PLANS have been lodged to convert part of a property in the Lake District into staff accommodation.

Wiltel Limited have submitted a change of use planning application to the Lake District National Park Authority to convert part of a property on Ash Street in Bowness on the first and second floors into staff accommodation.

The first and second floor areas subject of the change of use application are physically attached and internally linked to Laurel Cottage and have operated as part of the hotel/guest house for many years, according to plans.

However, the building areas subject of the application are the first and second floors of what was historically a completely separate building.

The existing eight en suite bedrooms which belong to Laurel Cottage will be configured to staff accommodation according to planning documents.

The proposed staff accommodation would be for employees of Laurel Cottage, Bodega Bar, Quayside and Hyltons Restaurant.

The planning statement says: “the proposed accommodation would be utilised by staff employed by the applicant in local tourism/hospitality venues all located within Bowness and in close proximity to the application site.

“The provision of staff accommodation is important in the continued operational viability of all of those local businesses, not least in providing good quality living quarters in good proximity and in a location where staff members have immediate access to a good range of local services and facilities.”