PLANS to extend a venue at a grade II listed hotel in the Lake District have been refused as the proposals would harm the ‘aesthetic value’ of the building.

The Lake District National Park Authority has turned down a planning application by Mr Wright to add a single storey extension to a detached barn venue at The Lancrigg in Grasmere.

Planning documents state the proposed extension was to provide storage and drying space.

The decision notice says: “The proposals would result in two awkward adjuncts to the side and the rear of the building which would alter the original plan of the rear extension, detract from its character and disrupt its legibility as a vernacular building.”

“As a consequence the proposals would result in harm to the aesthetic value of the building as a vernacular bank barn and its evidential value as a contributory element to the development of this group of buildings."

The detached bank barn to the west of the hotel has been converted to letting rooms on the ground floor and a function space for weddings at the upper level.

The Lake District National Park Authority refused the application on March 5.