Landlord could lose smoking shelter


29 December 2007 07:00

A pub landlord struggling with a steep drop in trade after July's public smoking ban could be left a further £3,500 out of pocket - as council planners want his smoking shelter torn down.

Peter Edwards, licensee at the Belle Vue in St Philips Road, off Dereham Road, claims to have been assured by City Hall officers in March that the wooden shelter outside his pub would not need planning permission.

However, he has had to apply for retrospective planning permission for the shelter after being told this information was not true.

Now he faces having to pull down the £3,500 structure because officers have recommended it is demolished.

This comes after three neighbours objected to the application on grounds of noise and smoke pollution from punters and the design of the structure, which one objector said detracted from the local area.

Mr Edwards, who says trade dropped by a quarter since the smoke ban was introduced, said he would fight the “crazy” recommendation when his application is heard on January 3.

He said: “The shelter is tucked in the corner of the garden, and the officers said it met all requirements and would not need planning permission.

“I'm going to fight them all the way.”

A spokeswoman for Norwich City Council said she could not confirm whether inaccurate advice had been issued because the authority was unable to comment on individual cases.

She added: “Planning consent is needed for smoking shelters and we will consider the individual merits of each planning application.”

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