Shutters blocking off a Carlisle shopping centre at night look set to get the go ahead.

Planning officers at the city council have recommended councillors approve proposals to install shutters at The Lanes Shopping centre, in a bid to tackle anti-social behaviour.

They would be put up at pedestrian accesses into the shopping centre on Globe Lane and Grapes Lane, Lowther Street and Scotch Street.

It is the second time the plans will have come before the development control committee, when they are considered on Friday, after members opted to defer it pending further consultation.

The proposals have divided shoppers and residents, with 10 letters against the plans and a further 10 in favour.

The loss of a public right of way is among the top concerns, although Cumbria County Council has confirmed that it has no issue with the small loss of access.

Part of the further discussion centred around whether the shutter closing times could be amended to 10pm to 6am, instead of 6pm until 6am.

However, a report to councillors explains: "Incidents can occur anytime between 6pm and 4am, but 50 per cent of the recorded incidents of anti-social behaviour occur between 6pm and 10pm.

"The proposal to restrict the closing times ... will therefore not address the identified issues of protecting The Lanes or its tenants and staff."

Another consideration before the committee, is that there is currently no ability to "invacuate" CORR the centre in the case of a terror attack.

"The Lanes currently provides no ability to be enclosed," the report says, "nor is there a provision to move occupants from an incident by closing one side of the centre to move them to the opposite side of the development and to safety."

One of the shutters has been relocated since the original application, as there were concerns it would create a recess which in itself could attract issues.

This has been relocated and will now be shut at 10pm, once KFC closes.

Despite efforts to address public concerns, objectors still insist that not only does the proposal do away with the historic "old lanes crossing the city centre", it also could simply see the transferral of anti-social behaviour.

One protester wrote: "Other businesses in the city are subject to anti-social behaviour yet there is no suggestion that all the streets in the city centre are gated.

"Normal procedures are used to tackle the problem, working with the police and the city council. Closing The Lanes will only transfer the problem."

Cumbria Police has backed the plans, saying it will help the Neighbourhood Policing Team in the long-term.

The report says the applicant argues: "The installation of the shutters ensures that the development remains an attractive and vibrant shopping environment, that has a key function within the city centre that encourages occupancy of the units and allows smaller business to trade conveniently from areas within The Lanes without damage or theft of items."