A DUNSTER hotelier has lost his appeal against Exmoor National Park Authority's refusal to allow him to improve access for disabled guests. Anthony Brunt, of the Yarn Market Hotel, had sought permission to block up a passageway between the hotel and the neighbouring Gables Hotel by installing a wheelchair lift and electrical compound. Mr Brunt had argued that the proposal was the most suitable for the grade two listed buildings and cited similar alterations already carried out at the nearby Luttrell Hotel. But Government planning inspector Ken Barton felt it would be inappropriate for him to comment on work carried out at another establishment and deemed Mr Brunt's plans to be harmful to the character of the listed buildings. Dismissing the appeal he said: "The proposals would be materially harmful to the character and special architectural and historic interest of the buildings to an extent that would not be justified, notwithstanding the commendable aim to provide improved access arrangements and facilities for disabled people. "I consider that approval of the proposals would not accord with national guidance and local policies which seek to safeguard listed buildings." Mr Barton advised Mr Brunt that drawings submitted with the appeal had not been easy to read and noted the national park authority's advice that an architect be employed had been ignored. He said some of the submitted drawings contained inaccuracies, more detailed information about the design and operation of the lift would have been helpful and that it would have been preferable for the "relevant authorities" to have been consulted from the outset, including the fire service. Mr Barton said these concerns alone would have given him reservations about allowing the appeal on the basis of the submitted material. He added: "I do, however, understand the appellant's desire to seek to establish whether the proposals are acceptable in principle. "With the current proposals the historic plan form and functioning of the listed buildings would be significantly altered, as would the character of the interior spaces. "Blocking up the passageway would be regrettable, in my view, and while this might not be immediately obvious in external views of the buildings from the front or rear where the passageway doors were closed, I consider that it would seriously detract from the integrity of the buildings." The inspector also disapproved of internal alterations to link the lift to the existing hotel and said he believed "all potential alternative courses of action" had not been fully explored. Mr Brunt had argued that he was simply trying to comply with the terms of the Disability Discrimination Act and claimed there were no other hotels in Dunster which could "satisfactorily cater for disabled people".