A LAKE District community cafe and shop has been given the go-ahead to extend its hours in the face of local objections.

The Gather in Ennerdale Bridge has been granted permission by the Lake District National Park Authority to allow its cafe and toilet facilities to remain open until 10pm from Monday until Saturday.

This will bring its opening hours in line with its 'community space' which holds events such as exercise classes and live music.

Previously, the retail space was permitted only to be open until 8pm.

Four objections were lodged against the proposal, including increased noise and disturbance, and that performances and classes take place in contravention of previous planning permission and should be subject to a separate consultation.

The delegated report outlines other concerns, namely that the increase in traffic and parking could result in accidents and would exacerbate parking problems that already exist in the vicinity.

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The report concludes: "Gather is already open as a community building until 10pm, and guests to the building can leave shortly after ten.

"I do not consider that increasing the opening hours of part of the building to allow retail 8pm until 10pm and allowing people who are visiting to use the toilets within this time period would cause an increased level of noise or vehicle movements experienced by nearby neighbouring properties."

Regarding parking, it says that 'increasing the opening hours of the retail space until 10pm would not increase the number of visitors as the building is already open until this time'.

The proposal was therefore considered acceptable and approved.