A Hucknall bar owner has been left "frustrated" after outdoor seating at his popular social spot was refused by the council. Brian Willows, 64, who owns Door 57 said Ashfield District Council has denied the social spot the chance to continue to have outdoor seating at its Nabbs Lane premises.
Mr Willows said that the bar, which has been open since 2019, has had to apply for permission to have outdoor seating every 12 months, a condition which had been implemented by the council. Door 57 applied to have the condition removed, which has now been refused.
Mr Willows said "I'm pretty frustrated with the decision that's been given by Ashfield District Council planning department on seating outdoors at the front and rear of our premises. The council previously gave us 12 months to have outdoor seating at the front of our premises, then after that, we had to apply for another 12 months which took us through to the end of last year.
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"So this year we decided not to apply for an extension but to just have the condition taken off, because applying can be quite costly for a relatively small bar. And instead, it's not been extended but it's been refused.
Mr Willows wants to be able to seat visitors at the front and the rear of the bar, particularly during the summer months. The Hucknall native, who has owned a number of other bars in the town, also noted how a number of other pubs nearby, one "within 10 meters" of his business had applied for an extensive outdoor seating area which was approved.
"I just like parity to what's happening to 10 meters away. We're not asking for anything different from anyone else. We know the customers we have, if they want to sit in the sun, will just go 10 meters down the road."
Mr Willows has now decided to split the planning applications, applying for front and rear seating separately. He hopes that both will be successful, and allow the venue to operate outdoors.
Ashfield District Council confirmed the first application was rejected. A spokesperson said: "The economic benefits and social benefits of the proposal for the business owner and local patrons are acknowledged, and while the council is keen to support businesses where it can, with the planning balance, the impact upon the amenity of nearby residential properties is considered to outweigh the benefits of the proposal in this instance.
"As such, after assessing all the submitted information and assessing this against relevant policies and material planning considerations, a refusal of planning permission is recommended for this application. Applicants do have the right of appeal."
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