Plans for a service station with shop in Keswick to open 24 hours a day are being opposed by the town council after complaints about noise and light pollution.
Permission is being sought to turn the Spar garage and convenience store on High Hill into a round-the-clock business, serving customers fuel and food and drink through the night, seven days a week.
But Peter Roberts, who lives opposite the premises, claimed the changes would have a negative impact on people living nearby, including loss of sleep because of car doors being slammed and the garage’s lights remaining on beyond midnight.
Dr Roberts, speaking via Zoom at a recent town council meeting, said: “The forecourt will be lit up with an illuminated canopy that can be seen from the moon, I would imagine.”
He said the lights were “garish” in a quiet residential area, adding: “During the night it will keep us awake.”
The garage is currently open 7am to 10pm, although permission had previously been sought for extended hours of 6am to 11pm before it was trimmed back.
Garage owners James Hall & Company Ltd carried out a major modernisation of it in 2017.
The Preston-based firm, which owns Keswick’s other petrol station on Penrith Road, had gained temporary permission to open High Hill for 24 hours under emergency measures during the first lockdown, primarily to serve NHS staff and carers.
Now it is seeking permission from the Lake District National Park Authority to do so permanently.
Recalling the extended lockdown opening, Dr Roberts said: “The noise from car doors being opened and closed and engines stopping and starting disturbed our sleep as it did other neighbours – and it will get much worse during the summer months.
“This is not conducive to good health, physically or mentally.”
Town councillors unanimously agreed to object to the planning application.
Cllr Duncan Miller said: “It is not our business to question the economics of 24-hour opening but it is our business to protect and listen to very reasonable objections from local residents.”
The LDNPA will decide on the fate of the plan in the next month or so.
