Award-winning pub loses marquee battle

An award-winning pub's attempt to keep a marquee for outside diners has been rejected by councillors, after it was deemed to be harmful to a village conservation area.

The Star Inn in Penkridge sought retrospective permission for the marquee, which was recommended for refusal by council officers.

South Staffordshire District Council received 167 letters of support for retaining it, with local MP Sir Gavin Williamson praising the success of the pub.

The majority of committee members voted in line with the planning officers' recommendation, with one stating: "It is a beautiful building – it's being spoiled by this tent on the side."

Last year the pub in Market Street, situated in a conservation area amongst a number of listed buildings, was able to keep raised decking and an outdoor seating area.

But planning officers said in a report that retaining it "would cause a moderate level of less than substantial harm to the setting of adjacent Grade II listed buildings and the character of the Conservation Area".

It was recommended for refusal based on its "irregular form and appearance" and use of fabric material, which "would be incongruous" with the character of the area.

Supporters attended the planning meeting, which heard the pub was a "highly popular meeting space for the local community".

Williamson said the pub had been a "huge success" for Penkridge, bringing residents together, and having the marquee allowed the venue to employ an additional five members of staff.

Ward councillor Sam Harper-Wallis also spoke in support of the pub having the marquee, but did not take part in the vote.

He said it was the pub's "core reason" for its current success.

"It provides 60 additional covers, which account for nearly 50% of the total internal capacity. Since the introduction of the marquee, the pub has seen trade almost double, allowing the pub to grow its local workforce."

But another councillor said the pub "needed to go back to the drawing board" and incorporate a "low-level timber structure."

Councillor Rita Heseltine said she thought it had collapsed when she first saw it in photo and councillor Meg Barrow said heritage laws were very important."

"It's not the fact of having it, it's the fact of what it looks like and I think that doesn't help the heritage of the building," she said.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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