A Donisthorpe pub has had plans to extend its beer garden rejected by North West Leicestershire District Council.

The Halfway House, in Church Street, had applied to remove a 'buffer zone' which had been set up to form part of a set of mitigation measures to safeguard the residential amenities of occupiers of neighbouring land.

But has council refused permission for this.

A council officer's report released today (Monday) says: "A recent application was refused for the following reason:- The proposed variation to permit the partial removal of the buffer zone and extend the beer garden, would result in unacceptable levels of noise and disturbance upon existing and future neighbouring residential occupiers, which could not be satisfactorily mitigated.

"The proposal would therefore be harmful to residential amenity."

The application has sought permission for the retention of an outside bar, two storage containers, catering structure, bin store and toilet block, on the site of the Halfway House.

The structures are located within a 'buffer zone' for change of use to community play area and beer garden, extension to the existing car park, provision of post and rail fencing and hedging and installation of external lighting.

It is also pointed out in the report that the Church of St John the Evangelist and the adjacent Vicarage, located to the north east of the site, on the opposite side of Hall Lane, are both Grade II listed buildings, as is 69 Church Street located to the west of the site.

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One formal letter of objection, submitted by a solicitor on behalf of a neighbouring property, raised a number of issues with the plan.

This included the plans detailing play equipment, which was allegedly not included within the description of development; Details of speakers have not been included in the application; the 10-metre buffer zone is required to safeguard the residential amenities of neighbouring occupiers. The containers are sited in close proximity to the boundary of existing and future neighbouring properties.

It adds that the structures are not well designed and would harm heritage assets.

The council officer's report adds: "The application seeks planning permission for the retention of an outside bar, two storage containers, catering structure, bin store and toilet block.

"The structures are located within a 'buffer zone' which was granted on 12th May 2014.

"The retention of these structures within the buffer zone, which include an outside bar and catering unit, would result increase the levels of noise and activity within the beer garden."