Claims that some customers of a popular Repton pub restaurant, which employs 86 people, are causing traffic and noise problems could dash the business’s hopes of making its outdoor marquee a permanent fixture.
For the last five years, the owners of The Bull's Head, in High Street, have maintained a temporary marquee in its beer garden but now want to make it a permanent structure.
An application has been submitted to South Derbyshire District Council for the erection of a permanent marquee and the pub owners must now face the authority’s planning committee, on Tuesday, August 8, which will make the final decision. The proposal received nine objections from neighbours citing parking and noise issues, as well as claims of anti-social behaviour.
In 2012, five-year temporary permission was given to enable an assessment of any deterioration of the fabric which could affect the visual amenity of the conservation area in which the pub stands. If permanent permission is given now there would be a fixed maintenance programme, which includes professional cleaning of the marquee fabric every five years and it would be replaced every 10 years, the pub says in its application.
If the application is granted, the pub wants to invest approximately £65,000 renewing the whole fabric of the marquee inside and out, in exactly the same external fabric and colour, it says.
In a report to the council, applicants' agents Bi Design Architecture Ltd said the pub has already invested £320,000 setting up the marquee.
However, concerns have been raised over the proposal. Repton Parish Council objects, alleging the marquee would be an over-development of the site and that the business has "over-expanded beyond the capacity of the street", along with complaints over noise levels when customers leave the premises and increased traffic in the area.
The parish council has requested that the temporary permission be extended for a further two years to monitor the situation.
Nine objections have been made by local residents, claiming the proposal would exacerbate the car parking issues and that the marquee is not in keeping with the village and is an eyesore.
Others allege there have been instances of anti-social behaviour with "people talking and shouting" when returning to their cars causing disturbance to residents. There are also objections claiming residents have had customers urinate in their gardens, and they have found vomit on the pavement and glasses or pizza boxes in their flower beds.
In a report to the council, the agent for the pub's application said: "The marquee is exactly the same size as it was when the original planning permission was granted. Repton has had historical parking issues with insufficient parking for local residents, many of whom have no off-road parking and own two cars. Parking was a problem in Repton before they took over the pub in 2007."
The applicant also claims its has complied with previous noise conditions placed on the temporary marquee. The report added that the pub does not hold function bookings or weddings in the marquee, despite numerous requests on a daily basis, out of respect to their neighbours. Nor does it have regular live music or discos.
Bi Design said in a report to the council: "In relation to anti-social behaviour, the applicants value and respect their neighbours and do everything they can to control the noise and behaviour of their guests leaving the pub. There is signage requesting their guests respect the neighbours, when leaving the building."
In recommending the permanent plan for approval, a report from the borough council’s planning officers says: "The marquee assists in the sustainability of this existing business within the Repton Conservation Area, accounting for 45 per cent of the overall sales and 4,860 working hours a week. The concern with regard the maintenance of the marquee has been overcome by the maintenance regime proposed which can be controlled by condition.
"The impact on the appearance of the Conservation Area is considered to be limited and any harm outweighed by the public benefits of the continued viability of this rural business. Noise impacts are sufficiently mitigated through the noise control measures and hours of use restrictions and due to the marquee not creating additional seating a highways objection cannot be sustained."
