Plans submitted by Wetherspoon’s to extend the opening hours of its beer garden in Wells have been rejected, amid concerns it would be a ‘detriment’ to nearby residents.
The Quarterjack, on Priory Road, applied to extend the hours it is allowed to serve food and drink in its beer garden "in the interest of the amenities of nearby residents."
Currently, the opening hours of the front beer garden, on any day, are from 8am until 7pm. The side beer garden is open from 8am until 9pm.
Ahead of the summer months, J D Wetherspoon planned to extend the opening hours of the front beer garden until 9pm and the side beer garden until 10pm.
Outside of these hours, food or drink cannot be consumed in the area. No tables or chairs are to remain in the front beer garden, and the side beer garden is only available as a smoking area.
Mendip District Council rejected the plans over concerns the extended hours would result in “detriment to the living conditions of nearby residential properties, as a result of additional noise and disturbance generated by such a pattern of use."
"The application site is located on Priory Road, with the opposite side of the street largely residential. There is no supporting evidence with the current application to suggest that varying the conditions will not cause harm to local amenity.”, the decision notice reads.
Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said that J D Wetherspoon is considering an appeal.
He added: “We are disappointed with the decision, but we respect the views of the councillors.
“The company operates hundreds of beer gardens across the UK and they add to the atmosphere of the pub and are enjoyed by customers.
“We work closely with the local community to ensure that there are no issues for neighbours.”
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