The director of a hospitality company has responded after it was revealed alleged breaches of planning conditions were being investigated at a Kendal pub.
South Lakeland District Council last month confirmed that an investigation related to the Duke of Cumberland pub was underway. A council spokesman said ‘alleged breaches’ were being looked into and that formal action had not yet been taken.
Further information was provided in a report produced ahead of a meeting of the district council’s planning committee on August 25. The report discussed plans to build a convenience store in the car park of the Duke of Cumberland, at the junction of Appleby Road and Shap Road.
In the report, case officer Joshua Parkinson said: “There are two ongoing enforcement cases related to the beer garden and erection of lampposts and lighting.”
Josh Macaulay, director of Westmorland Hospitality, which runs the Duke of Cumberland, said he was only aware of one alleged breach – in relation to lighting.
“They [the council] said they have received a complaint of light nuisance arising from a light on a column in the car park at the Duke of Cumberland,” said Mr Macaulay.
Mr Macaulay said that he asked Punch Taverns and Smart Parking, which own and run the car park respectively, to introduce new lighting in the car park in January 2021.
This was following complaints by customers that they could not see the parking information signs at night.
He said Smart Parking then installed a floodlight. He believes this was put in place so that the parking cameras could pick up the registration plates of people visiting the pub after dark.
“But, in doing so, it was shining directly into the windows of houses along the side of the Duke,” said Mr Macaulay.
He said that, upon request, Smart Parking said it would look at the lighting situation. Mr Macaulay said, however, that he was not aware that anyone was ever sent out.
“We took it upon ourselves and we have repositioned them so they are not shining into all the houses,” he said.
Punch taverns and Smart Parking have been approached for comment.
