Listed building refurbishment at Laurel Cottage Guest House, Bowness-on-Windermere

“This application seeks listed building consent for:”

“Removal of stones to the top of the boundary wall to the front of the building and replacement with metal railings to be of a similar design to historic railings which were present on the wall. • Remove artificial grass and lay local slate flags to the front of the building. • Replacement of the Acrylic sign over the entrance door with a new hardwood sign. A separate signage application will be submitted for this.”

“The application relates to Laurel Cottage, a grade II listed building in the centre of Bowness and within the Bowness Conservation Area.”

“The previous Listed Building Consent application (7/2024/5476) was refused as the proposals failed to preserve the significance of the listed building. This application has been amended to make the following changes:”

“The cobbles to the front are no longer being lifted and re-laid. No change is proposed to the cobbles. • The internal layout is being retained to allow the history of the building to be read.”

“Windermere and Bowness Town Council made a single response covering both the listed building consent and planning applications recommending refusal. Their major concern is to do with the impacts of the change of use on the surrounding area, rather than the physical works to the listed building.”

“In terms of character and appearance, the development is sympathetic and well thought out. The proposed restoration of this historic building is a sympathetic design.”

“Seven letters of support and three letters of objection have been received. As with the Town Council's comments, the matters raised are to do with the nature of the change of use rather than the works to the listed building and as such they are covered in the report relating to the accompanying planning application.”

“All of the windows within the front elevation and side elevation are either proposed to be simply re-painted, or repaired and painted. Four of the windows within the rear elevation area proposed to be replaced. A condition survey has been prepared to illustrate that they are beyond repair. The proposed windows are timber sliding sash windows of a very similar design and the same opening mechanism.”

“The internal alterations proposed are explained in detail within the Design and Access Statement which accompanies the application. The alterations retain the majority of the historic fabric of the building, while retaining its internal layout. More modern additions are proposed to be removed and replaced, and heritage building techniques and materials are proposed.”

“Motion to grant Listed Building consent Proposed by [name withheld] by [name withheld] were unanimously in favour of the motion…”