Bowness bar plans rejected over fears police would be challenged

Plans to turn a guest house into a bar have been rejected amid concerns it would increase pressure on the town’s police squad.

The Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) has rejected the proposal for the Laurel Cottage guesthouse in Bowness, Cumbria.

In its decision report, the LDNPA said the application had failed to show that it would not “contribute to crime and disorder”.

During a consultation on the plans, Cumbria Police said Bowness had seen a “significant increase” in the number of licensed premises in recent years, leading to more crime and straining police resources.