Two flexible residential units at Newstead & New Lodge, New Road, Windermere

“Application number: 7/2025/5637 Application type: Full Planning application Applicant: [the applicant]: Newstead & New Lodge, New Road, Windermere, LA23 2EE Grid reference: 341049, 497988 Proposal: Retrospective change of use from guest house to a single dwelling with permanent occupancy restriction or a single self-catering holiday unit (Newstead).”

“This application seeks to change the use of the accommodation from guest house use to two residential units and seeks the flexibility to use each of these as either self-catering holiday accommodation or for permanent occupation as dwellinghouses with an occupancy condition.”

“Newstead is a large, detached building located on New Road in Windermere. To the side and rear of Newstead there is a detached building, erected following permission granted in 2010 (7/2010/5067). This building, known as New Lodge, currently acts as the owner’s accommodation. The planning permission contains a condition which states:”

“The accommodation hereby permitted shall only be occupied as part of the guesthouse known as Newstead at the time of the application either as serviced guest accommodation and or by staff and their dependents.”

“The guest house use of the site has ceased. Newstead is being used as a self-catering holiday letting unit. New Lodge is occupied by the owner of the site. The change of use amounts to a breach of planning control.”

“The principle of changing the guesthouse use to holiday accommodation is policy compliant. We have also concluded that the alternative use proposed, as permanently occupied dwellinghouses, would be acceptable.”

“We have not identified any material adverse effects that would arise as a result of the change of use of the guesthouse accommodation to the proposed flexible use of the site as two units comprising either self catering holiday accommodation or permanent dwelling use. The development is therefore considered to be acceptable and approval is recommended subject to the following conditions.”

“The main issues in this assessment are: • Principle • The effect on residential amenity…”

“Lake District National Park Authority Development Control Committee – 4 February 2026 7/2025/5637 residential housing stock if it were to be let as a holiday unit so would ask LDNPA to restrict the change of use of Newstead Lodge to a single dwelling with local occupancy condition to retain residential housing stock.”

“The neighbour considers that New Lodge directly overlooks Oakdene and that any change to a holiday let would have a profound effect on the enjoyment of our space and privacy. The objector considers that the potential impact on neighbours of a holiday let is very different to that of a guest house and fundamentally different to a permanently occupied dwelling, would be harmful to the supply of local housing and to the character of the Conservation Area.”

“A holiday let, a dwelling in permanent occupation, or a guesthouse can all be occupied by persons who behave well or poorly. Taking into account the specifics of the application buildings, including their size, location and means of access, it cannot safely be concluded that changing the building from one type of holiday accommodation to another, or to a permanent dwelling, would be likely to result in demonstrably different levels of activity, or give rise to an…”

“Newstead is the larger of the two parts of the property and therefore the one more likely to be occupied by large parties that have a greater potential to cause issues for neighbours. In this case Newstead has been operating as a self-catering holiday let since late 2021, and we have seen no evidence that this has caused nuisance. In addition, Newstead is separated from the residential uses on Brook Road by New Lodge and its garden.”

“- Short-term holiday letting accommodation; or - by a person as his or her Only or Principal Home, or the widow or widower of such a person and any dependents of such a person living with him or her.”

“- Short-term holiday letting accommodation; or - A dwellinghouse occupied by a Person with a Local Connection as his or her Only or Principal Home, or the widow or widower of such a person, and any dependents of such a person living with him or her.”

“Motion to approve the application with conditions Proposed by [name withheld] by [name withheld] were unanimously in favour of the motion…”