A PLANNING application for the redevelopment of a hotel to include a forest retreat spa as well as 12 'dark-sky cabins' in the Lake District has been refused.

Plans for the Overwater Hotel, Ireby near Bassenthwaite, have been refused by the Lake District National Park Authority on March 13. 

The application proposed an increase in the offering of bedrooms, a restaurant and banqueting suite, and a forest retreat spa and leisure complex - with ambitions of 'elevating the hotel to five-star standard'. 

Plans also included the creation of a new car park and change of use and adaptation of outbuildings to provide offices and staff accommodation.

Amongst the reasoning for refusal, the LDNPA said: "The proposed development would significantly extend the main house, and would see significant detached development taking place within the grounds.

"The proposed works, by virtue of the size of the extensions and the amount of new development throughout the grounds, would harmfully alter the character and appearance of the site, appearing intrusive, prominent and visually dominant from viewpoints within the grounds.

"The development would also compromise the quiet, tranquil and undeveloped natural qualities of the grounds and villa setting.

"Harm to the heritage significance of the villa as a listed building and attribute of the world heritage site and to the special qualities of the National Park would result.

"Public benefits outweighing the identified harm have not been identified," they said. 

READ MORE: Genesis Homes plan for 90 homes west of Carlisle city centre