OWNERS of an Ambleside guest house have been given the green light by planners to change the building into holiday lets.

Thorneyfield Guest House on Compston Road has been granted permission by the Lake District National Park Authority to make alterations to windows and construct a balcony, enabling the conversion into three short-term holiday-let units, and improved owner’s accommodation.

The plan seeks 'to meet market demand for this type of holiday accommodation'. 

The proposals would result in a reduction in the capacity of the building from six guest rooms with one bedroom in the owner’s accommodation to three holiday let rooms with two bedrooms in the owner’s accommodation.

The application was decided by the LDNPA Planning Committee, due to Lakes Parish Council’s objection to the construction of the balcony, arguing that it would not be visually overbearing, and would overlook a school playground, raising issues of safeguarding.

The planning decision report states: "I am satisfied that the proposals would not result in an increase in overlooking which is sufficiently worse than the existing situation to justify refusing planning permission."