Residents in a peaceful Lake District village have hit out at partying tourists using an outdoor hot tub late at night.
Conn Cottages in sleepy Bampton near Shap, opened as a holiday let in June after a massive refurbishment and attracted glowing reviews.
But a hot tub in the courtyard rear garden designed to relax holidaymakers — jangled nerves for local residents.
Guests ended up taking late-night dips, playing loud music and flashing fairy lights — all in the village’s protected Conservation Area.
Things took a turn for the worse when a 10ft x 9ft oak gazebo, complete with a slate roof, was erected over the hot tub without planning permission – allowing guests to use it more often.
The unauthorised development was reported to the Lake District National Park Authority which opened an enforcement case and investigated.
The authority has now turned down plans by Conn Cottage owner, Charles Collins, a Southport-based businessman who wanted backdated permission to allow the gazebo to stay.
Instead, LDNPA planners declared its height and positioning as overbearing and found it had encouraged guests to use the hot tub more often — resulting in an unacceptable level of noise, and disturbance and harm.
Bampton resident Nick Pocock told planners the gazebo did not fit in with the traditional Lakeland cottage.
“There are many houses within a short distance and the noise has caused upset within the community,” he said.
Resident Sue Goble also said: “I don’t see how this is in-keeping with a peaceful residential village in a conservation area.”
Bampton Grange resident David Kitchen told planners that holiday lets geared towards the rent to party market were completely out of place in small Lakeland hamlets.
“This is yet another example of an out of area developer, who with prior knowledge of the need for permission, went ahead with this structure with no respect for the local residents or the conservation area and its restrictions.”
Agents representing the applicant said the gazebo was put up following advice from a national park planner and that a planning officer had been on site and informally deemed the structure acceptable.
The gazebo was needed to provide privacy for those using the hot tub and prolong its life, they said.
Bampton Parish Council supported residents and opposed the gazebo. It said: “As a parish we are noticing increased pressure on our services from visitors and we hope to see responsible tourism which supports local businesses, people and jobs whilst being respectful of our local environment.
“As such, in our decisions, we take into account the need for sustainable industry which supports people locally to ensure we have a vibrant and working community alongside the need to preserve the Conservation Area.”
