A POPULAR family hotel on the shores of Windermere is seeking permission to extend and upgrade its leisure facilities after a number of guests' comments.

The Newby Bridge Hotel, just off the A590 on the southern tip of Windermere, has submitted a planning application for the construction of an extension to an existing building to provide improved gym and changing facilities for the hotel leisure area, with guest accommodation above.

The Design Statement submitted to the Lake District National Park Authority says: "The facilities in the gym and changing rooms have long been a source of comment/complaint from guests. 

"The hotel wishes to offer a gym and changing facilities which would be commensurate with a hotel of this size catering for those who seek such facilities in the hotel accommodation they stay in.

"The first floor adds four guest rooms, two of which are shown as being family rooms, which increases the offer of the hotel encouraging families with young children into the Lake District. 

The Mail: PLANS: The proposed plan, with the existing setup insetPLANS: The proposed plan, with the existing setup inset

"The proposals are designed to be as unobtrusive as possible with a basic style reflecting the adjacent 1997 extension to which it is attached.

"An electric vehicle charging point will be located at the proposed parking spaces shown near the existing staff accommodation. 

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"The extension will be designed to be thermally efficient in compliance with building regulations which are due to be revised to 'near zero emissions' in June 2022. 

In assessing the heritage impact of the proposal, the application says: "The proposed extension is remote from the main hotel façade and due to its secluded position behind the hotel, and the lack of sight lines from anywhere other than the immediate vicinity the building has been designed with the use, interior, and sustainability in mind rather than the external appearance.

The Mail: SITE: Where the proposed extension will be builtSITE: Where the proposed extension will be built

"It was realised early on that there was little to be gained in adding architectural embellishments and features to a building in this situation. 

"The proposed extension relates to the adjacent building to which it is attached more than any older buildings in the area."

"It will have little to no impact on the overall appearance of the building from any location around the site."

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