Killearn pub given beer garden permission
A Killearn pub has been given retrospective planning permission for a beer garden.
Stirling Council planners have conditionally approved the change of use application from AMS Management Services for the outside eating and drinking area in a garden space which had been hard landscaped at the Old Mill Inn at 6 Balfron Road.
Their council environmental health colleagues, however, had objected to the application due to the potential of people noise and the impact on neighbouring properties.
The change of use increases the footprint and capacity of the outside eating and drinking area at the back of the site.
In their decision, council planners said: “The footprint of the external area has increased from approximately 280m2 to 738m2 on its southern and south-eastern boundaries and has included the removal of several trees to facilitate this.
“A hardstanding of 120m2 has been installed on the northern side of the area to use in conjunction with a stretch tent (weather permitting) to provide covered seating; the tent has a maximum height of 3m. At the very rear of the site along the boundary, a raised grassed strip has been created with wooden benches for seating that are also used throughout the wider site; each wooden bench can seat up to six persons.
“The site has been landscaped with red stone chippings and grey paving slabs and two planting beds have been created. The site would operate in accordance with the terms of its current premises licence with a maximum outdoor capacity of 100 persons permitted and close at 10pm Monday to Sunday. There have been no changes to parking provision as a result of the works carried out.
“The rear of the site is bounded by 2m timber fencing on its north and east boundaries. The site is bounded by residential properties except on part of its southern edge, which is a commercial space operating as a delicatessen and office.
“The works have already been carried out and completed during the pandemic and the application is retrospective.
“The works outlined in this application expanded the footprint and capacity of the existing outdoor eating and drinking area during the pandemic when businesses where permitted to do so under government regulations at the time. The works have been carried out to a high standard and the overall design, landscaping and materials used complement the sites surroundings and are appropriate for its use as a beer garden.
“The applicant removed several trees during the construction of the expanded external area and this has undoubtedly altered the landscape. However, on balance it is considered that the removal of these trees would not result in unacceptable impacts on the character, appearance and setting of the Conservation Area to such a degree to merit refusal of the application on this basis alone. A condition will be attached seeking an appropriate replanting scheme to address the loss of trees.”
On the issue of the environmental health objection, the planners said the site was already a well-established business and currently the only one of its type, centrally located within the village, with the majority of its customer base being local.
They added: “The current premises licence controls the capacity and hours of operation and it is considered that in conjunction with planning conditions to control the output from music and AV equipment to be used in the external eating and drinking area, on balance the application can be supported in this instance.”