Venue loses battle over its new decking

THE owner of a Somerset bar will be forced to remove decking from outside his premises after losing an enforcement appeal.

Somerset West and Taunton Council served an enforcement notice on Bar 21, on The Avenue in Minehead town centre, ordering the business to remove timber decking, cladding, a toilet block and a rear extension.

Business owner William Wynn appealed the notice, arguing there had been no breach of planning law and it was not reasonable to ask him to remove these additions.

But the Planning Inspectorate has now ruled in the council’s favour – meaning Mr Wynn must remove the offending items within a year or face further legal action. The council originally served an enforcement notice on the bar on August 21, 2020.

The bar lies within the Wellington Square conservation area in Minehead town centre – meaning it has to comply with specific standards in terms of the design of the premises and the materials used.

A separate appeal, asking the council to pay Mr Wynn’s legal costs, was also dismissed.