AN APPLICATION has been submitted that would see an area for eating and drinking created outside a Lake District hotel. 

Eight tables and 16 chairs would be set up in Church Street along the frontage of Bowness's Stags Head Hotel.

A design, access and heritage statement submitted as part of the application says: "The free flow of pedestrians will be ensured by retaining a minimum of 1.75m of pavement - providing capacity for a combination of disabled access, prams and other forms of pedestrian traffic without detriment to safety.

"The tables and chairs will be grouped in a line opposite to the front elevation of Stags Head Hotel."

The statement says the flow of customers entering and exiting the bar at the hotel would be unaffected.

A planning support statement published with the application, which was submitted by Peter Clark, of Stags Head Hotel, says the proposal would also allow 'the operators to designate a smoking area that can be monitored, supervised and managed'.

The application has been submitted to the Lake District National Park Authority for approval.