A popular restaurant is looking to extend its opening hours but has come up against opposition from people living nearby who have complained about the noise. Kona in Falmouth wants to change its closing time from 11.30 pm to 1.30 am.

The licence application is set to go before Cornwall Council's licensing act sub-committee when it meets today. Whilst the application has received some support there have been objections from local residents.

Falmouth Town Council has supported the application and there have been no objections from any other statutory bodies. In total six people have objected to the plans whilst letters of support have been submitted by seven others.

Under the application, Kona wants to be able to serve alcohol from 8 am to 1 am Monday to Saturday whilst keeping its current hours of 8 am to 11 pm on Sundays. The restaurant is also seeking permission to serve alcohol until 2 am on New Year's Eve.

Opening times are proposed to be 8 am to 1.30 am Monday to Saturday, with Sundays remaining at the current hours of 8 am to 11.30 pm. The application also seeks to change opening times on New Year's Eve to 8 am to 3 am.

Objections have been received from residents of Maritime House who say they have been subjected to noise nuisance and submitted several complaints. They have also claimed that the restaurant has operated outside its permitted hours, particularly in relation to seating outside.

Extensive photographs and noise diaries have been submitted to the council to support the objectors' claims. Some state that people were unable to watch television, read or sleep due to noise from music being played at the restaurant.

One of the objectors, Steven Forrest, claims that "Kona are in reality attempting to create a late-night DJ nightclub venue". He says that the application should be rejected by the council.

However, documents submitted to the licensing committee also demonstrate that the licensees have apologised when there has been disturbance and also put in place measures to reduce noise when requested.

Letters of support have also been submitted from other Falmouth residents who praise the venue and say that extending the hours would improve the venue even more.

Cornwall Council's licensing act sub-committee will meet to discuss the application online today (Wednesday, December 21).