By Julian Whittle

Last updated at 08:51, Thursday, 31 December 2009

A historic hotel at Talkin Tarn, near Brampton – which is currently standing empty – is up for sale again.

Enquiries: Tarn End House at Talkin Tarn near Brampton

Property developer Dean Montgomery bought the former Tarn End House for £450,000 from Cumbria County Council in April.

His company, Citadel Estates, applied for planning permission to extend and convert it into 15 private homes.

When permission was refused in October, Mr Montgomery said he would wait until 2016 in the hope that planning rules might change.

But he said this week: “Over the last few months we have had a number of unsolicited enquiries about the property.

“We therefore thought it appropriate that it be fully exposed to the market.”

Carlisle property consultant Hyde Harrington is seeking “offers” for the empty 19th-century sandstone building.

Its literature says: “The property may lend itself to operation as a licensed hotel and restaurant, subject to some necessary modification and updating.”

Tarn End House has planning consent for conversion into eight holiday flats, although work must be timed to avoid disturbance to bats.

It is set in 1.72 acres, overlooking the tarn and is currently standing empty with unsightly metal railings protecting it from the water’s edge.

Accommodation includes a lounge/bar, dining room, kitchen, beer cellar, laundry room and 10 bedrooms.

Mike Mitchelson, the leader of Carlisle City Council and a Conservative councillor for Brampton, would like to see it reopen as a hotel.

He said: “It’s an ideal situation for a hotel with a wonderful outlook and would be an asset to the area. It could be a mini Sharrow Bay with great potential for weddings and events.”

Mr Montgomery had promised to build a new boathouse for Talkin Tarn Amateur Rowing Club if his planning application had been successful. But the proposal proved hugely controversial, attracting 150 objections.

The objectors said the scheme would spoil the peace and tranquility of the popular Talkin Tarn country park.

Carlisle City Council refused permission on the grounds that housing in open countryside was against policy. It argued too that the extension would be “detrimental to the character of the building and the area”.

First published at 07:12, Thursday, 31 December 2009
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk