A RETROSPECTIVE application to change a guest house into five apartments for short-term holiday letting has been recommended for approval by planners. 

Clark Zhou has submitted plans to turn Claremont House in Ambleside into holiday lets to the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA). 

Claremont House is a three storey, mid-terrace guest house consisting of six letting rooms with associated owner's accommodation, lying to the west of Compston Road and in the centre of the Ambleside Conservation Area. 

Ahead of the Development Control Committee decision on Wednesday, September 4, the LDNPA planners have pulled together a report recommending the application for approval. 

The plans have been objected to by Lakes Parish Council on the grounds of causing a 'negative impact on local economy and community' and the excess of holiday lets resulting in a decline of traditional B&Bs. 

They also said the plans 'exacerbate' an existing housing shortage. 

The planner who compiled the report Kelsey Blain wrote: "Lakes Parish Council have raised concerns about the impact of holiday lets on the local economy and sustainability of local communities, in contrast to guesthouses.

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"I acknowledge the comments from the Parish Council however the proposed development complies with the requirements of Policy 18 which supports the change of use of guesthouses to different forms of holiday letting accommodation and it has been demonstrated that there is a range of tourism accommodation available within the local area.

"The proposals would not result in unneighbourly or antisocial behaviour which would have an unacceptable impact on the amenity of adjoining residents." 

The report said it 'did not consider' the development would result in a significant increase in the requirement for parking over the existing use. 

The planner attached conditions to the recommendation, outlining that the accommodation shall only be occupied for the purposes of short-term holiday letting accommodation, and not occupied for a period exceeding eight weeks in any three month period. 

The owner would also have to maintain an up-to-date register of the names of all occupiers of the residential accommodation and their home addresses under the conditions recommended in the report.