A POPULAR Eden Valley village pub has launched a fresh bid to ensure its customers can enjoy an al-fresco pint - even while it's raining - after planners served an enforcement notice.

Anton Flaherty, one of the owners of The Strickland Arms in Great Strickland, has submitted a retrospective application to Westmorland and Furness Council to allow the retention of the canopy covering the pub's outdoor seating area.

The canopy in its current form was refused permission in 2022, and an appeal was subsequently dismissed before planners ordered Mr Flaherty to remove it.

The planning statement argues that the canopy is vital for the success of the business.

It says: "The canopy will provide additional cover for patrons attending the public house, particularly for eating during inclement weather.

"This will therefore assist in the financial viability of a small local pub offering food and drink to local and visitors during the holiday season.

"In times where following Covid-19, additional pressures are placed on pubs like this, and energy prices escalating beyond normal inflation makes it very difficult for these small but very important community facilities not to disappear.

"This therefore will help the sustainability of the business and not promote unwanted dereliction and abandonment."

The statement also addresses the refusal of the appeal lodged.

The appeal inspector's decision stated: "The roof encompasses the whole of the terrace stretching forward 6,850 millimetres from the front of the building.

"This contrast with that of the traditional slate pitched roofs of the original public house, results is an incongruous and overly large addition."

Mr Flaherty's statement proposes that the canopy now be constructed with imitation slate rather than a polycarbonate sheet, and now be reduced to 4,000 millimetres from the building.

It says: "The removal of the window, doors and panel inserts are a significant omission from the previous design that was refused.

"Much of the front of the main building will be seen from the highway and passing pedestrians."

It says that the area had been used as an outdoor area long before the canopy was built.

It says: "The use is not new and therefore if there is no evidence of complaints of noise this does not warrant a refusal on these grounds."

The planning consultation period ends on October 2.