The picturesque Lake District pub is being told to remove the hot tubs it installed to ‘stay afloat’ after planners branded them an eyesore – and said drinkers needed permission to fit them first
A quaint Lake District pub has been ordered to remove newly built hot tubs after planners branded them an eyesore.
Matthew Mayver, co-owner of the Wilson Arms in Coniston, built the vats to keep the pub afloat and says he now loses customers hand over fist.
He had hoped that guests would enjoy the scenic beauty of the national park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – while sipping local ales to boost his business.
But planing officers asked the owner to remove the hot tubs plus seating and a play area after the additions were branded unsightly.
Describing it as a ‘farce’, Mayver is now trying to work with planning authorities to keep the additions to his family-owned pub.
The Wilson Arms in Coniston in the Lake District has been ordered to remove newly built hot tubs after they were branded an eyesore by planning inspectors
The pub also offers glamping pods complete with wood-burning stoves, outdoor seating, small huts and hot tubs with stunning views of the UNESCO World Heritage Site
The pub was only told to remove the four bathtubs by the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNP) in July 2022.
Mayver appealed the decision, but a Whitehall government inspector held an inquiry and upheld the LDNP decision, saying the tub damaged the appearance of the area.
The inspector ordered the removal of 30 light poles, four hot tubs and a raised deck area and steps from land around shepherds’ huts on the site.
A track formed with stones must also be removed and grass seed spread over the exposed land to return it to its former appearance.
The LDNP said it hoped to see “legal compliance from the owner,” meaning the tub must go.
The Wilson Arms has shepherd’s huts, glamping pods and cabins for guests as well as hotel rooms.
Mr Mayver said: ‘I didn’t realize you needed planning permission for a hot tub.’
After the LDNP ruling in 2022, he admitted he had ‘made a mistake’ and would submit a planning application for the tubs.
visitors flocked to the cozy pub for the view and luxury stay, but owner Matthew Mayver says customers are now calling him to demand refunds
The Wilson Arms is set in a picturesque village with beer gardens, stone houses and stunning views over the Lake District
But since the LDNP had already ruled against the vessels, they could not accept the new application, he said.
He then appealed to the government’s planning inspectorate, which responded on April 5 and supported the LDNP’s ruling.
The inspector said the hot tubs ‘demonstrated a level of permanence and failed to preserve or enhance the local landscape in this part of the national park’.
Mayvers said: ‘All we’re trying to do is keep a business afloat and keep local people in a job. We barely break even’.
He said customers had called to cancel their summer trips after reading about the tubs being removed.
The pub, which is around 50 years old, previously belonged to Mr Mayver’s father and he hopes to pass it on to his daughters Harriet and Lottie.
‘My daughter is in there now helping to run the business. She is young, 22, full of ambition, full of ideas.’ he said.
He hopes to meet with the LDNP to see if they can find common ground.
He said: ‘If there isn’t then you know the future of the pub could be at stake.’
The LDNP said there had been “several illegal developments” at The Wilson Arms which were “unneighbourly and detrimental” to the national park.
These included a beer garden that breached planning permission by extending too far,
The pub’s recent additions have been banned as they were out of keeping with the local area and disturbed the natural surroundings
The pub already has a beer garden out front along with customer parking but had hoped to keep itself afloat by adding tents, glamping pods and hot tubs
They said five enforcement notices, a breach of condition notice and a stop notice had been issued against the owner.
They added: ‘An independent inspector appointed by the Secretary of State agrees with our assessment of damage and all appeals have been rejected. We hope that we will now see compliance with the law.’
‘The development damages the character and appearance of the site and surrounding area and, although localized in its scale, fails to preserve or enhance the local landscape of this part of the national park.
‘It follows that if the landscape and scenic beauty of this part of the national park is significantly diminished, the identified Outstanding Universal Value and thus the significance of the World Heritage Site will also be progressively harmed.’
In another enforcement notice, the appellant is also required to stop using part of the land as a lounge and play area for customers of the Wilson Arms.
Previously, a planning application was approved in 2019 to change the use of land from a field to a beer garden, but according to the inspector’s report, the LDNPA says the beer garden extends beyond the permitted area.
The complainant says the planning documents state that the description of the plans says “field” and not “part of field”, the planning authority’s report says.
The report adds: “The appellant claims that the beer garden is an important element of the pub’s business and supports its continued operation as a visitor and community facility.
“However, I am aware that the development is an extension of an existing beer garden, the latter of which would remain regardless of the outcome of the appeal.”
The inspector rejected the complaint and concluded ‘The development has a detrimental effect on the living conditions of neighbors in terms of noise and nuisance.’
Another enforcement action was also upheld in relation to the use of a tent, but according to the inspector’s report, the tent has now been removed.
Taking to local social media, the Hindpool lad said: “Another business initiative facing a Luddite council who will be happy when everything is shut down.”
But Steve Clark said: “This family should know better, been involved in building for years.”
Getting The Balance said ‘Another company tries it again! Not the first time I think. Just trying to make more millions but rules are rules as they say.
‘I have a business, I have money! This family has businesses, they break the law, they have money, they have to follow the rules like everyone else.
‘If you know them you know the score, if you don’t I suggest you do your homework! Not jealous, just tired of people ripping the heart and soul out of the Lake District for their own selfish money and addiction.’
The Lake District National Park Authority has been contacted for comment.