A Lake District guest house is to be converted into several self-catering apartments.

Members of the development control committee for the Lake District National Park Authority have approved plans from Brantholme Ambleside Ltd to convert Brantholme Guest House on Millans Park in Ambleside into six self-catering apartments.

The proposed apartments would consist of four two-bedroom apartments plus one one-bedroom and one three-bedroom apartments.

It is currently operating as a guest house with seven double en-suite bedrooms and a three-bedroom owners’ accommodation in the basement.

The plans had faced objection from Lakes Parish Council who raised concerns over the ‘significant decline’ in traditional bed and breakfast accommodation types in the area.

A response from the parish council to the plans states: “The proposed apartments will increase the number of holiday lets, which are already abundant in the area.

“This trend is contributing to a significant decline in traditional Bed & Breakfast establishments, disrupting the balance of guest accommodation types in the Lake District.”

In response an LDNPA planning officer told the committee he would conclude there is a ‘substantial’ amount of guest house accommodation in Ambleside.

A design, access, and heritage statement submitted on behalf of the applicant says the proposed conversion is in response to the ‘market demand’ for this type of accommodation.

Planning documents add: “The proposal will update the existing building in a sympathetic manner and have a positive effect on the existing business.”

The planning application was approved on September 4 at Murley Moss in Kendal.