A pub’s appeal to keep the outdoor dining huts it installed during the pandemic has failed. 

Colin Curran erected several colourful beach huts and expanded the outdoor area at the Farmers Arms, Shadforth, shortly after lockdown was imposed in 2020.

The County Durham publican spent £16,000 renovating the beer garden at his boozer to be able to welcome back customers within the new social distancing guidelines. 

Part of the car park was incorporated into an extended beer garden that included the five beach huts and decking area, in order to continue trading.

The Northern Echo: Mr Curran branded the latest decision a “slap in the face” but is determined to find a way to keep the huts.Mr Curran branded the latest decision a “slap in the face” but is determined to find a way to keep the huts. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The development was completed in April 2020, benefiting from relaxed planning rules, but once the pub fully reopened and the outdoor area became more popular, complaints over noise and disturbance were submitted to the county council. 

And when a retrospective planning application was submitted, Mr Curran faced a backlash from several residents opposed to the expansion.  

Mr Curran warned of losing income and staff members. After the plans were submitted, he said: “They’re a big asset to us. Some older and vulnerable customers only feel safe coming out and using the sheds."

The planning application was rejected by Durham County Council and Mr Curran has now faced a further setback after the government’s Planning Inspectorate backed the local authority’s decision.

He branded the latest decision a “slap in the face” but is determined to find a way to keep the huts. An option of potentially reducing the size of the outside terrace area is being explored. 

Mr Curran added: “The council was encouraging small businesses to make outdoor spaces available but now they’re taking it away.”

Residents complained that the noise and disturbance from the beer garden can be “intolerable”, planning officers noted. One resident said they had to “shut windows because of loud live music and loud intoxicated customers shouting and swearing till very late at night.”

The inspector’s report added: “There is evidence that the use of the beer garden does disturb the nearby residential occupiers in their homes and gardens, particularly the rears of the closest Oliver Crescent properties. The noise levels rise when customers are inebriated and when music is played in the beer garden.

“There are times when the neighbours are unable to enjoy their gardens and they need to close their windows to mitigate the noise.”

But the publican claimed the huts are mainly used by diners and families, saying: “They’re a nuisance to no one.”

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Although it noted that the pub’s expansion had received some local support, the Planning Inspectorate concluded that the proposal would harm the living conditions of nearby residents. 

Durham County Council said it will work with the business to ensure compliance with the decision.

Stephen Reed, planning development manager, said: “The government planning inspector makes it clear that the main issue for consideration was the effect of the proposal on nearby residents and concluded that the proposal would harm their living conditions, with particular regard to noise and disturbance, and would therefore be in conflict with both local and national planning policies.”