PLANS to alter garden buildings in a Lake District hotel which dates back to the 17th century so they can host weddings and other small gatherings have been given the green light.

The Lake District National Park Authority has approved plans from Classic Lodges Ltd to refurbish a stone building and the southern part of a boathouse at the Lakeside Hotel at Newby Bridge.

According to planning documents the garden buildings will be used for hotel guests requiring small private areas, such as small weddings and private family gatherings.

The design, access and heritage statement says: “The existing redundant structures would be brought back into use. Their refurbishment and repurposing would be a more sustainable approach rather than replacement of new additional buildings.”

The Lakeside Hotel was originally built as a 17th Century coaching inn that expanded with the arrival of the Furness Railway to Lakeside in 1869. The hotel has been extended recently to redevelop an existing spa.

Planning documents say the boathouse will be altered by the replacement of the glazed windows at first floor with bifold doors which would allow the whole frontage to be opened up onto the balcony.

The balcony would then be more accessible from the first floor and would be repaired and strengthened to suit small gatherings of people. A small woodburner stove would also be included to provide some heat during cold weather, planning documents add.