A CAFE in Port Isaac has been given permission to extend its opening hours despite concerns from neighbours about noise, writes Richard Whitehouse, local democracy reporter.

The Cornish Cove in Fore Street has a number of glowing reviews online with many highlighting that it is in the village where Doc Martin is filmed. An application to extend the opening hours of the business went before Cornwall Council’s east sub-area planning committee on Monday, March 4.

When planning permission was originally granted to convert a former shop into a tearoom a condition was made restricting opening hours from 8.30am to 9pm from the Friday before Easter to the last day of October and from 8.30am to 6pm from November 1 to the Thursday before Easter.

Under the new arrangements the cafe will be allowed to open from 8.30am to 10pm from the Friday before Easter to October 31 and to allow opening from 8.30am to 10pm on Friday and Saturday nights from November 1 to the Thursday before Easter with no tables outside.

Applicant Melanie Mewton stated that other businesses further down Fore Street, including a fish and chip shop and restaurant, had no restrictions on opening hours.

Planning officers had recommended that the application be refused saying that the impact on residents would be “unacceptable”.

St Endellion Parish Council had also objected to the plans and councillor Nicola Williams said that the popularity of Doc Martin had seen a big increase in visitors to Port Isaac.

She said that the cafe’s location right next to homes meant that noise was often a problem and there were concerns that the later opening would mean this would continue into the night.

Carol Mould, Cornwall councillor for the area, supported the parish council and residents in their opposition.

She said: “Having a coffee shop was a logical step but now we are looking at something that is more like a restaurant or bar.”

She added: “I know it is only an hour but that extra hour could make a big difference to residents. I think this is the wrong place for what they want to do. It will disrupt residents on that stretch of road.”

Committee member Mary May said: “If the applicant was so bothered about the extra hour then they would have been here to present their case.

“Don’t we all want a bit of privacy and quiet?”

And councillor Andrew Long said he was not convinced there was a need to extend the hours and was concerned about the impact on neighbours.

But Jane Pascoe supported the plans saying: “This small business needs to open these extra hours. In the summer months people want to be able to have something later.”

A proposal to refuse planning permission was lost with six votes in favour. A proposal to grant permission was approved with eight votes in favour and five against.