A visit is needed to the site of a previously approved application for a new hotel in the Lake District after a ‘change in circumstances’.

A planning officer has invited members of the development control committee for the Lake District National Park Authority to revisit Pearsall House in Far Sawrey so they can ‘understand the current condition’ of the site.

Committee members gave the green light for proposals to convert Pearsall House, on the western shore of Windermere, into an 18-bedroom hotel in October last year.

Applicant Mikhail Hotel and Leisure Group was also granted permission to add a hipped roof and to create 24 car parking spaces for the hotel.

The proposals were subject to a satisfactory response from United Utilities regarding drainage which the head of development management would assess and subsequently decide whether to approve.

In a letter sent in March, United Utilities confirmed the proposals were ‘acceptable in principle’ and proposed an additional condition that drainage for the development was carried out as set out in plans.

But head of development management Andrew Smith told members on Wednesday: “Since members last considered the application, there’s been changes of circumstance on the site.

“The site condition has changed. It doesn’t reflect what you saw when you went last time so there are material considerations that now need to be taken into account that weren’t before you when you saw it but we haven’t taken a decision.

“I’d like to take you back and show you that site again please so you can see it and understand the current condition.”

The plans previously faced objection from residents and parish councils concerned over wastewater management and overdevelopment.

Windermere Town Council stated: “The western shore of Windermere Lake has retained its quiet, unspoiled ambience which would be harmed irrevocably by the introduction of an hotel on this lakeside site.”

Local resident John Beckitt told committee members in October: “Pearsall House is a large building on a small plot so the building almost touches the adjacent Ferry House, looks directly into Ferry House bedrooms and overshadows and deprives Ferry House bedrooms of light.”

He added the building blocks out views of the lake to the south  and said hotel guests will overflow into the Ferry House gardens and damage the lake shore.

Julian Handy, an agent speaking on behalf of the applicant, previously said: “The site has constraints but it is about finding the best sustainable employment solution and my client is looking to have staff on the site to maintain it, but it has to be sustainable.

“We work on a number of leisure facilities around the lake and this we feel is one that will be a successful project going forward.”

Pearsall House is currently empty having last been occupied by the Freshwater Biological Association.