PLANS to convert an ‘iconic’ building in the Lake District into affordable homes have been given the green light.

The Lake District National Park Authority has approved plans from Westmorland and Furness Council to convert the former Windermere Town Council offices on Broad Street in Windermere into four ‘affordable’ dwellings.

The proposed properties consist of three two-bedroom flats and one two-bedroom house.

Planning documents state: “Langstone House is a late Victorian building used previously used as offices for Windermere & Bowness Town Council. The building is now considered surplus to requirements with a new facility being provided close by for the activities of the council.”

According to a report by planning officers, Langstone House is an ‘attractive, late nineteenth century building’ and makes a ‘positive contribution’ to the character and appearance of the conservation area.

Windermere and Bowness Town Council said it had no objection to the plans and said: “Good use of an iconic, though underused building.

“The council recommends considering the possibility of increasing the number of parking spaces available to the front and rear of the building to prevent worsening the parking issues on the neighbouring streets.”

No changes to the existing accesses are proposed, with two parking spaces provided to serve Flat A and the two-storey house.

A report adds: “The proposals would fall short of the recommendations set out within the Cumbria Design Guide and while the Local Highway Authority have not objected to the application, they have highlighted that parking is an ongoing issue in this area.

“The development is located within the centre of the Rural Service Centre with good access to a range of public transport options, as well as being located in close proximity to Broad Street car park.

“The application also includes a bike store, to hold six bikes to serve all four dwellings. I am satisfied that due to the low capacity of the proposed dwellings and the location of the development within the centre of Windermere, the proposed parking provisions are sufficient and that the development will not have an unacceptable impact on highway safety.”

The planning application was approved on March 15.