It’s full steam ahead for pub
ROOF TERRACE GETS THE GREEN LIGHT DESPITE FEARS OF SOME NEARBY
A FOREST Hall pub’s plans to install a Victorian-inspired roof terrace have been given the goahead by the council.
Bosses at the Flying Scotsman were given permission by North Tyneside Council’s planning committee on Tuesday to install a new roof terrace.
The terrace will style itself on the age of steam, drawing inspiration from Victorian train stations.
The pub, named after the famous train that frequently passed by en route to Edinburgh from London, had £450,000 spent on it in 2015, after first opening on the site a former railway station more than 40 years ago.
Despite this, owner Punch Taverns admits the pub looks like its still stuck in the past and the works are needed to bring it into the 21st Century.
On North Tyneside Council’s planning portal six objections were lodged alongside 32 comments supporting the plans.
Some residents were not impressed by the plans, raising fears about noise and litter.
In a statement read out on her behalf, Jennifer Adamson, of Benton
View, claimed that noise from the terrace would blight residents’ lives.
“I am very disappointed that the planning officer has recommended approval as I think the proposed roof terrace beer garden will have a detrimental impact on the local area,” she said. “My first concern is its visual impact. Timber panelling and corrugated metal sheeting covering the pergola, and glazed panelling and Victorian style lamps.
“It will be clearly visible, especially from the Forest Hall shopping area and by pedestrians using the footbridge. “I consider that its appearance will be visually harmful to the area. This will be contrary to the recent works to improve the shopping area and various street works.
“The residents also want to enjoy being in their gardens. I consider that the noise generated prior to 9pm could make this intolerable. I have lived in my
Local resident Jennifer Adamson house for 40 years and during this time I have had some disturbance from noise coming from the Flying Scotsman, with this occurring most frequently and regularly in the last two to three years.”
Despite these fears, other residents supported the plans, saying that they would make the pub a nicer place to meet and create jobs.
In support of the application a statement from building surveyor Wakefields was also read out.
“It is clear there is a considerable amount of support, both via letters and online comments submitted during the process, which highlights a number of positive factors that this development will bring, such as employment, and continued viability of the establishment,” it said.
“This is even more pertinent now than before given the Covid19 situation and the awareness that certain ways of living and operating will change for the foreseeable future.
“Therefore external spaces and the ability to maintain greater distances between people is more important and pubs are in a position where significant changes must be made if they are to remain viable.”
I think the proposed roof terrace beer garden will have a detrimental impact on the local area