A SOUTH Lakes resident says her community has lost another piece of its ‘local character’ and ‘history’ after a plan to demolish a former inn and replace it with a car sales and office space was approved by Lake District national park planners.

The Lindale Inn, in Lindale, near Grange, was acquired by Hadwins Audi after the establishment shut in 2015.

The business requested to change the use from public house to a car sales and office. This plan included the demolition of the pub and to re-build the car park, landscape and drainage works.

Planning documents said 'car franchise operations are very competitive and Audi are aware of the unique offer that Hadwins provide at Lindale'.

"However, they still need to be competitive and provide certain specifications required by Audi," it said.

"The proposal is part of the general growth of the business at the site moving forward to meet both Audi’s expectations and that of individual customers."

Karen Lester lives opposite the former inn and expressed her sadness following the approval. “I feel like we’ve been ignored,” she said.

Mrs Lester had sent letters of complaint outlining why another car sales business would not be beneficial to the community. “We already have a car sales premise here this isn’t going to benefit us in any way,” she added. “The business now dominates the centre of the village. People won’t want to come live here now.”

Newton and Field Broughton Women’s Institute led a petition against the development going ahead but, according to a LDNPA report , it provided no reasons for their objection.

Acknowledging the loss of impact on the character of the area the LDNPA reported there was still a number of community facilities which already existed in Lindale.

The main issues highlighted by residents included light pollution, no evidence the scheme would support the economy and concerns it would devalue private property. There were 27 letters of objection and one letter of support, which stated; ‘The derelict pub had been an eyesore for many years’.

Mrs Lester felt Lindale and Newton Cartmel Parish Council could have communicated better with residents about the application. The report stated the parish council was in support of the application. Vice-chairman Iain Maynard said the public had known about the application well in advance. "We had a display board up in the village hall for a week, the post office and the Royal Oak pub,” he said. “There was also a comment section and the majority of responses were in favour of the demolition.”