A CONTROVERSIAL application to create a microbrewery, visitor centre, cafe and bar in a South Lakeland town have been rejected by planners.

Kirkby Lonsdale Brewery Co Ltd's proposal to house the development within the James Thompson Auctioneers on the corner of New Road and Tram Lane in the town met with widespread opposition.

Cllr Kevin Lancaster, who represents Sedbergh and Kirkby Lonsdale on South Lakeland District Council, said: "This is the most difficult application I have had to deal with and have lost sleep over it."

"I can see both sides very clearly and I have changed my mind almost daily. I very much want the brewery to succeed but I think this really isn't the right place for it.

"There is no doubt about it. This is a very unpopular application locally. It is difficult to talk to anyone in Kirkby Lonsdale who doesn't share concerns."

Forty-four letters of objection and 11 in support were sent to SLDC. Cumbria Highways and Kirkby Lonsdale Town Council both said the plan was not suitable.

Janet Atkin, speaking on behalf of a group of residents, mainly living on Tram Lane, said: "It gives me no pleasure to stand here and ask that this application be rejected. In a nutshell, it is a good idea in completely the wrong place. This road carries an already and extremely complex interaction of traffic and pedestrians."

"With the addition in due course of some 120 houses to the west of the town, and further smaller groups of houses elsewhere, many more people will be driving into Kirkby Lonsdale."

The plan had been recommended for approval by SLDC officers.

"There is a potential for noise and disturbance however the proposal has to be taken into context," said a report to councillors. "This is a town centre location in the prime shopping area. It is not an usual situation for businesses and residents to be in close proximity to each other."

Kirkby Lonsdale Brewing Co Ltd was established in 2009 and currently operates four kilometres away on the Old Station Industrial Estate.