Outdoor drinking area at The Queens Head, Eston, Middlesbrough

What was proposed

The application proposed changing adjacent public open space into an outside drinking area with landscaping, planting, fencing and gated access.

“The proposal includes for the change of use of public open space adjacent to public house to create an outside drinking area with associated landscaping. The public open space, subject of this application, is situated to the southwest of the property running along the boundary on Gladstone Street. Planting and a 0.9m picket fence are proposed around the boundary to enclose the space with gated access to the property’s frontage on Guisborough Street. The area is approx.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The public house is on a corner in a mainly residential area beside grassed public land, with existing picnic benches and CCTV.

“The application relates to The Queens Head, 27 Guisborough Street, Eston, a well-established licenced public house. The property is detached and found within a predominantly residential area on a corner plot at Guisborough Streets junction with Gladstone Street, adjacent to an area of grassed public land. The property has two storeys, with the upper storey forming managers accommodation.”

Officer report

Residents’ views

Six objections cited disturbance, amenity, anti-social behaviour, privacy, litter, public-land concerns and access, while ten supporters and two commenters backed the proposal.

“Noise and disturbance • Loss of residential amenity • Increased anti-social behaviour • Adversely affect the reasonable enjoyment of neighbouring homes and gardens • Contrary to planning policies designed to protect residential amenity • Does not provide sufficient boundary screening to adequately mitigate noise, overlooking, and loss of privacy for nearby properties.”

“The beer garden would alter the character and appearance of the area, creating a more commercial and intensive use that may be out of keeping with its surroundings. • The application lacks adequate detail regarding the management of the beer garden.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Ward Member supported the application, and the applicant described management, CCTV, closing times, pedestrian access and possible table service.

Members’ debate

Members supported the proposal subject to suitable conditions, including details of the boundary treatment, after considering management, access and anti-social behaviour.

“Members debated the application and made the following comments:”

“Members acknowledged the responses provided by officers and the applicant regarding site management, access arrangements and anti- social behaviour concerns. • Members expressed support for the proposal subject to the inclusion of appropriate conditions, including details of the boundary treatment.”

Minutes

The final decision

Planning permission was granted subject to the report’s conditions and an additional condition requiring fencing and boundary-treatment details.

“RESOLVED that planning permission be granted subject to the conditions set out below and an additional condition requiring the submission and approval of details of the proposed fencing/boundary treatment.”

“The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans: Location Plan received by the Local Planning Authority on 04/06/2026 Site Plan received by the Local Planning Authority on 24/07/2026 Existing Layout Plan received by the Local Planning Authority on 27/05/2026 Proposed Layout Plan (Amended) received by the Local Planning Authority on 21/07/2026 Proposed Elevation of Picket Fencing received by the Local Planning Authority…”

Minutes