A Lake District inn has lodged plans to add a bike storage facility as part of plans from the venue to encourage ‘sustainable tourism’.

The Inn Collection Group has submitted a planning application to the Lake District National Park Authority to add a secure external bike store to the Coniston Inn which could accommodate up to 24 bikes.

The proposed bike store will have charging ports for electric bikes.

A planning statement says: “ICG is keen to market the hotel as part of recognised cycle routes and to encourage sustainable tourism. Accordingly, there is a requirement to provide facilities to meet the needs of cyclists.”

Planning documents say the proposed bike store will have a ‘high-quality appearance’ with timber-clad walls and steel roof panels.

The planning statement adds: “A number of benefits flow from this development, including helping to sustain jobs and the tourism and visitor economy of the area, and thereby its vitality.”

The Coniston Inn has 45 guestrooms and employs around 34 people, according to planning documents.

In recent years the inn has undergone a refurbishment and an extension has been added to the site. Planning documents say this has met varying needs with the addition of fully accessible rooms, family and dog-friendly rooms as well as large drying areas.