Restaurant signage at Boatmans Cafe, Bowness-on-Windermere

“Sign with trough light above on the south side elevation • Two facia signs with trough light above on the front west elevation • Two A1 menu boards with internally illuminated lockable poster cases on the front west elevation • Two A3 menu boards with internally illuminated lockable poster cases on the front west elevation…”

“Lake District National Park Authority Development Control Committee – 5 August 2026 7/2026/5170 • One stand-alone road sign facing downhill, illuminated by trough lighting (existing signage on the side elevation of the building stating ‘coach parking’ to remain) • One stand-alone road sign facing uphill, illuminated by trough lighting (existing sign facing uphill which is attached to the building is to be removed) • Multiple frosted window vinyls…”

“Boatmans Café is a 19 th Century former Victorian dwelling which lies outside, but on the boundary of, the Bowness Conservation Area. The property was previously used as a café, gift shop, and also as offices and a storage area for Windermere Lake Cruises. The building is now to be used as a fish and chip restaurant.”

“I consider that the main issues with this application are the impact on the amenity of the area and the setting of the Bowness Conservation Area, and public safety…”

“Subject to the suggested condition, the proposed advertisements would cause no harm to the amenity of the local area and would preserve the setting of the Bowness Conservation Area.”

“Recommend refusal of the large free-standing Trenchers sign on the grounds that it is overly dominant and would be an incongruous feature which would spoil the uncluttered appearance of the new building and the first views down to the lake for drivers approaching Bowness. We recommend that the free-standing sign is not permitted.”

“The existing signage is inconsistent and somewhat untidy and will need updating to reflect the new use of the building. We have no objection to updating and relocating the sign for “coach park, group bookings and Trenchers” or replacing the coach park sign where it currently is with the updated version. The proposed wall-mounted signage is also acceptable’.”

“Following Member discussion and clarification by the Head of Development Management that Members could split a decision with regards to applications for signage, an alternative proposal was tabled by [name withheld].”

“Motion to split the decision and approve all signs with conditions, apart from sign six. Proposed by [name withheld] by [name withheld] in favour of motion: Abstentions: 1”

“Decided: Advertisement consent Approved in part with conditions. Advertisement consent Refused for sign six.”