Noise, parking and privacy fears could see a pergola at a Cheltenham hotel pulled down.
Councillors will debate plans for Clarence Court Hotel to keep the pergola it built without planning permission after it applied to Cheltenham Borough Council for retrospective approval.
A spokesperson for the hotel apologised for “assuming the pergola would be immediately acceptable” and said there would be no music from the structure.
The pergola is a freestanding structure measuring around seven feet and 10 inches tall at a width of around 26.2 and 23 feet deep and sits next to the rear and side boundary brick wall at the Clarence Square hotel.
The works have already been completed and Cheltenham Borough Councillor John Payne (People Against Bureaucracy, Prestbury) has asked for the planning committee to consider the proposals due to the impact of the pergola on the amenity of neighbours and the wider area.
Some 20 residents have objected over the impact it will have on privacy, noise disturbance, impact on parking and the grade II listing building while 24 people have written in support of the scheme.
Cheltenham Civic Society said they support the principle of outdoor space for restaurants and bars but these plans are for a densely populated area which could generate considerable noise nuisance and anti-social behaviour.
They also said Oak or similar rustic style rough wooden structures are not appropriate in one of Cheltenham’s important Georgian squares.
“However, we recommend mitigation by painting the structure an appropriate painted finish in off white or a pastel colour, use of appropriate trellis and decorative items such as finials, appropriate paving and edging rather than just a cheap spread of gravel, and planters of appropriate designs as well as planting,” they said.
The hotel owners said they bought the property in April last year and have been closed over nine of the last 12 months.
Applicant Elaine Cross said: “We accept the shortfalls on our part and we sincerely apologise for our mistake in assuming the pergola would be immediately acceptable.
“We purposely matched the height of the pergola to the height of the wall so that our neighbours cannot see it from ground level.
“We have sourced all materials and labour from local suppliers and continue to support local businesses.
“This will be a facility for local residents and hotel patrons, open for a place to meet, serving coffee, meals and drinks.
“There will be no music and a dedicated member of staff to service that area making sure of only conversational level of noise.”
Planning officers have recommended approving the scheme subject to conditions.
One of the conditions is that no customers shall be served or remain in the outdoor seating area outside of the hours of 9am to 9.30 pm on Monday to Saturday and 9am to 8.30am on Sundays and bank holidays.
The planning committee will debate the scheme on August 19.
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