Holiday lets and marina plans approved for former water testing laboratory

Update 5th October 2023

Pearsall House Update

Alongside local residents, we spoke at the Lake District National Park Association’s planning committee on 4^th October against a re-submitted proposal to redevelop Pearsall House, the former Freshwater Biological Association HQ on the western shore of Windermere.

Disappointingly, our challenge that the new proposal still amounted to holiday lets, not a hotel as claimed, and that therefore the building should, in accordance with planning policy, be used for local housing as a priority, was not taken on board. The proposal will now be approved subject to further information being received from United Utilities.

Update 22nd February 2023

We are pleased to report that following substantial objection from Friends of the Lake District, along with a range of local residents, visitors to the area and other concerned organisations, this application has now been withdrawn.

It is unlikely we’ll be informed as to the specific reasons for the withdrawal, and depending on the reasons, it is possible the proposal may return in a slightly altered form. For now though, it is great news that this proposal, which was in conflict with several local plan policies and would have been a significant development for the quieter western shore of Windermere, will not go ahead.

1st December 2022

Following inspection of the plans and discussions and a site visit with concerned local residents, we have now submitted our response to the proposal to convert and develop Pearsall House, the former Freshwater Biological Association HQ on the quieter western shore of Windermere, for holiday letting, along with a substantial marina.

Many thanks to those of you who got in touch to share your concerns. We sought to incorporate all these in our response. We are heartened to note that many others, including local residents, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Windermere Lake Cruises and the Royal Windermere Yacht Club and the National Trust have all also submitted objections.

Read our response>

28th October 2022

Plans have been submitted for the redevelopment of the former Freshwater Biological Association water testing lab close to the Windermere Car Ferry dock, Claife Viewing Station and Near Sawrey. The proposal involves 14 new ‘leisure residential’ units (or holiday apartments) along with a small outdoor pool, a new single dwelling and a new two-jetty marina.

We are still reviewing the plans but do have some initial thoughts and concerns. For example, there is potential for negative impacts on the character of the quieter western shore of Windermere and although this is a brownfield site, holiday accommodation may not be the most appropriate re-use. It will also be important to consider the proposal in the context of increasing concerns about the water quality of Windermere and the factors contributing to this issue.

You can view the proposals by searching using planning reference 7/2022/5624 on this webpage

We would very much welcome your views on the proposal: [email protected]

The FBA has already vacated the site and are now based at Lakeside, Newby Bridge.

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