An historic Lake District tourist attraction and community facility are to get a new look.

Planning permission has been granted for changes to be made at The Ruskin Museum, and Coniston Institute on Yewdale Road.

National park planners have given the go-ahead for a steel archway to be constructed in the alleyway leading from the institute to the museum.

New landscaping is also planned to make the approach more attractive, and the plans involve the re-siting of Coniston’s community bread oven.

Two new disabled parking spaces will also be created at the back of the museum.

A report by national park planners said: “The archway would be sited at the entrance to the Coniston Institute and the Ruskin Museum and next to Yewdale Road.

It is proposed to attract more visitors to both the museum and
the institute.”

“The archway would be constructed of a lightweight steel design which would
allow plants to grow on, and would have copperplate writing saying Ruskin Museum Coniston Institute.”

The archway provides an attractive way of advertising the two buildings, said a report.

The Coniston Institute was founded in 1878, building on the Coniston Mechanics’ Institute in 1852 as a place of education, well-being and personal development for the families of miners and quarrymen.

The application had the support of Coniston Parish Council.