Residents of Wordsworth's 'loveliest' Lake District village are furious over plans to turn restaurant into its first-ever kebab shop

By WILL HALLOWELL, NEWS REPORTER Published: 19:29, 4 July 2026 | Updated: 19:33, 4 July 2026 A Lake District village once described by Wordsworth as 'the loviest spot that man hath ever found' is under siege... from a kebab shop. Residents of Grasmere, a former civil parish located in the Westmorland and Furness district of Cumbria, are furious over plans to turn a restaurant into a Turkish takeaway. Outraged locals complained to the council over the proposals to transform Goody Blakes on Stock Lane into Grasmere Kebab Shop, which led the local authority to refuse planning permission.  The restaurant's owner, Shwan Khder, had originally sought approval to install a 'discreet' new chimney on the rear wall in addition to smaller changes to facilitate a grill.   Lakes Parish Council recommended refusal, noting in its response that a kebab shop would 'introduce a level of activity and operational intensity that is out of keeping with the surrounding residential and sensitive village context' and 'undermine the established character and function of this part of the village'.  The local authority also warned of additional noise pollution and vehicle congestion, saying Grasmere's 'tranquility' could be ruined.  However Mr Khder has said he will fight the decision in order to deliver Grasmere's first-ever kebab shop - and in the meantime operate the venue as a restaurant.  He has pledged that 'customers can eat in or take out, but it won't be a takeaway'.  Restaurant owner, Shwan Khder, 38, (left) plans to fight the refused planning application for a kebab shop in the quiet village of Grasmere  Poet William Wordsworth once described the village as ''the loviest spot that man hath ever found' - but residents now fear a takeaway shop could turn Grasmere into a 'nightmare'  Residents, however, are fuming over the 'appalling' plans, with one calling the prospect of a kebab shop in the village a 'nightmare', while another said the eatery would be an 'eyesore'.  But not all are opposed, with one local declaring he 'believes in free enterprise' and another saying: 'I'd definitely try a kebab once'.  Poet William Wordsworth once described Grasmere, where he lived and was buried, as 'the loviest spot that man hath ever found'.  But Mr Khder, 38, a British-Iranian Kurd, believes that if he were alive today, Wordsworth would have been a customer.  He told The Telegraph: 'There are no other takeaways in Grasmere and it is a busy place, especially at this time of year. 'If Wordsworth was alive today, of course he would [be one of my customers]. He needed energy and he needed food, especially if it's fresh, homemade food like my kebabs. Everybody back then would have wanted one.' The restaurant owner described the backlash from residents as 'absolutely unbelievable' before saying he will 'have to apply again for a change of use to a takeaway'.  Bookseller Julian Hyde, 59, decried the prospect of a kebab shop in Grasmere as 'appalling', suggesting it could lead the quaint village down the path of destruction by encouraging a 'fish and chip shop (to open) next to it - then a Tesco Express'.  Pictured: Goody Blakes on Stock Lane, where the proposed kebab shop will be developed  The plans have split the community, with residents having voiced opposition for and against the takeaway He also expressed concern for the environmental impact, saying that litter from the takeaway could 'get out of hand'.  John Lowther, who owns puzzle retailer Barney’s Newsbox and lives on a private road shared with Mr Khder's restaurant, said a kebab shop in Grasmere 'is going to be a nightmare'.  The 71-year-old, who has lived in the village for over 40 years, said a takeaway 'simply does not fit in with this beautiful village', before adding: 'Being a vegan, I wouldn't go there'.  His verdict was that Grasmere 'doesn't need a kebab shop at all'.  And Kyle Wyness, who owns the flat above the restaurant, complained to the Lake District National Park Authority that the takeaway would be 'an eyesore that is completely out of keeping with the nature of what is a mainly residential area'. Co-owner J Wynass wrote in a separate letter that it would have 'a detrimental impact on our business and the value of the property'. However some residents have voiced support for the plans, with bartender Leah Sky saying that as she works late into the evening, there is nowhere else open in the village to grab dinner after her shift.  Art dealer Tim Hardy, 60, also said 'I just believe in free enterprise', adding that 'everyone will be against it' because residents like to keep Grasmere 'as a museum'.  And Paul Abbot, who runs a distillery in the village, said he would 'definitely try a kebab once'.  The Daily Mail has approached Lakes Parish Council and the Lake District National Park for comment.   No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? 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