A last ditch bid has been launched to resurrect moves to restore an empty hotel at one of north Cumbria's most popular beauty spots.

The firm behind plans to convert Tarn End House Hotel, on the shores of Talkin Tarn, is appealing to the national planning inspectorate after its proposals were knocked back.

The hotel, a 19th-century building set in breathtaking surroundings at the massively popular tarn, near Brampton, has stood empty since it stopped trading in 2004.

Dean Montgomery from Citadel Estates bought the building from Cumbria County Council for £450,000 in 2009.

His firm wanted to convert the hotel building and rebuild 90 per cent of its outbuildings to create 18 apartments.

But councillors sitting on Carlisle City Council's development control committee threw out the application on the recommendation of the officer dealing with the case.

Although it was agreed something needed to be done to save the building, the officer’s report stated that the “potential conservation benefits brought by the proposed development would be outweighed by the harm to the existing heritage values of the property, the unsustainability of the site and lack of affordable housing.”

Although not a listed building, Tarn End is seen as a "non-designated heritage asset of local importance".

Nick Elgey, commercial director of Citadel Estates, said: “This is a gem of a scheme.

"I was astonished that it didn’t get planning approval. It’s not a listed building - it’s no different to a redundant farm.

“What we want to do is quite stunning but it has to be economically viable.

“Citadel Estates worked hard with its team of consultants to produce a viable scheme that sympathetically restores this local landmark building while also delivering public benefits including a new jetty.

“Although the application was widely supported by the public, ward councillors and consultees, Carlisle planning department chose to recommend refusal.

“Consequently, we had no choice but to appeal to the planning inspectorate.”

The planning inspectorate deals with planning appeals, national infrastructure planning applications, examinations of local plans and other planning-related and specialist casework in England and Wales.

The building previously had planning consent to be converted into holiday lets.

But, in 2010, developers requested conditions be removed to allow the building to become luxury apartments.

This sparked opposition and Carlisle City Council received 50 objections and a petition against the application with only one letter in support.

Mr Elgey added: “The appeal is under review and we anticipate a decision by the turn of the year.”

In the meantime, the hotel remains boarded up.