Complaints lead to pub ditching plan for seats in gardens

A plan for outside seating opposite a popular city pub has been derailed due to a backlash from neighbours.

Opposition to creating a seating area outside The Miller’s Arms was so strong the city council pulled the plug before a formal plan was even submitted.

Last week, the Gazette revealed Shepherd Neame, which owns the pub, had asked the authority for permission to use a section of Abbots Mill Gardens.

The brewer wanted to use the 1,400 sq ft area, opposite the pub on the corner of St Radigund’s Street and Mill Lane, for open-air seating for its customers, with tables and chairs.

Shepherd Neame said it wanted to gauge reaction ahead of any formal plans.

Rob Davies, spokesman for the city council, which owns the piece of land, said following a consultation, the authority would not be progressing with it due to the amount of opposition, mainly from people living nearby,

Richard Parkinson, chairman of the St Peter’s Residents’ Association, said allowing patrons to use the area to drink and smoke would have been disturbing for residents.

He said: “We’ve got quite enough of it going on in the city with 40-odd-thousand students who want to do that at night.

“It wasn’t an application as such, but the council testing the water to see if anyone would like it. They got their answer and it’s no.

“Late-night drinking and other activities that go on in a residential area are disturbing for the residents.”

The site is currently used as public open space.

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Picture: Gary Browne FM4679654 The plan for outdoor seating at the Miller’s Arms pub was withdrawn before an application was even made

An artist’s impression of the seating that had been planned for outside The Miller’s Arms in Canterbury