FRESH plans to extend a private Bowness-on-Windermere villa into a boutique hotel, bar and restaurant have been rejected by a government planning inspector.

Plans to change the use of St Andrews, on Lake Road, to a bar, restaurant and hotel suites were approved by the Lake District National Park Authority two years ago.

However, new plans which included a gabled extension and an orangery were turned down by Lake District planners last year, and their decision has been upheld on appeal.

The inspector ruled that the plans would turn the “modest” Italianate-style villa into a “statement” building, harm the character and appearance of the detached house and Bowness Conservation Area.