Retrospective pub decking at Rose & Crown, High Street, Elham, Canterbury

What was proposed

Retrospective permission was sought to retain a smaller raised timber deck extending the public house’s rear outdoor seating area.

“The property has manager’s accommodation on the first floor and benefits from an existing external paved patio area to the rear, accessed through the bar area. The decked area, the subject of the application, leads from this and sits between the rear of the public house and the boundary wall of The Old Bookshop. It is divided by a hedge.”

“DC/25/27 3. Proposal 3.1. This application seeks retrospective planning permission to retain an area of raised timber decking that has been constructed to extend the outdoor seating area associated with the rear of the public house.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is a Grade II listed public house in Elham’s conservation area and Kent Downs National Landscape, beside a listed residential property.

“The application property consists of the Grade II listed public house (The Rose & Crown), which is within the defined settlement boundary of Elham, within the Kent Downs National Landscape, and the designated Elham conservation area. The building is a traditional timber-framed building, spanning two-storeys and a basement, that dates back to the 15 th or 16 th Century, was rebuilt and altered in the 17th Century, with 19 th century alterations and fenestration.”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers found no unacceptable harm to residential amenity, heritage assets, landscape character, highway safety or amenity, subject to conditions.

“The proposal is for the retention of a timber decked area to the rear of the Grade II listed property within the Elham Conservation Area. The residential amenity impacts have been assessed and, subject to conditions, found to be acceptable.”

Officer report

What people said

Elham Parish Council and five neighbours objected over privacy, overshadowing, light loss, decking height, consultation and unauthorised works.

“Elham Parish Council: Object – loss of privacy to The Old Bookshop; trellis would overshadow and cause a loss of light…”

“- Loss of privacy - Trellis will not ensure privacy and will cause overshadowing - Lack of consultation - Works conducted without permission - Height of decking should be limited - Panels or trellis should be set away from the wall to avoid light loss and reduce loss of privacy…”

Officer report

Who spoke

A local resident spoke against the application.

The committee decision

Councillors proposed and seconded approval, then granted planning permission with conditions and delegated authority to finalise them.

“That planning permission be granted subject to the conditions set out at the end of the report and that delegated authority be given to the Chief Planning Officer to agree and finalise the wording of the conditions and add any other conditions that he considers necessary.”

Minutes