PLANS from a shop to provide holiday accommodation above their store in south Cumbria have been given the go-ahead.

Westmorland and Furness Council has given the green light to Levens Village Shop to carry out a first-floor extension to the store on Main Street to provide holiday accommodation in a bid to provide additional income to ‘safeguard’ the business.

Previously plans were refused by Westmorland and Furness Council with a decision notice issued by the authority stating the proposed first-floor extension would be ‘unduly prominent’ in the streetscene due to its flat-roof design.

The new plans omit the flat-roof design and follow the line of the existing slate roof.

Planning documents state: “It would not only provide additional employment but also to allow diversification of the core shop business to provide an additional income stream which would help to safeguard the existing shop business and employment.”

Plans add the shop currently employs the full time equivalent of 4.5 persons.

The proposals received comments of support from residents who state the plans will ‘future proof’ the shop.

One neighbour said: “The Levens Village shop is a vital local business and has become essential in supporting the village. In times of such financial uncertainty diversification of income streams to help support local businesses is unquestionably required.”

Another commented: “As you will appreciate, with competition from super-markets and serious hikes in energy costs, however efficiently one runs a small rural shop it is an increasingly challenging business.

“We are aware that having a holiday flat to augment their shop income would make a considerable difference to them in covering their costs.

“The applicants themselves do so much for Levens and it is in the village’s interests that they do as well as they can here as the community really does rely on their involvement and enthusiasm – and frankly we would hate to lose them.”

The application was approved on October 9.