Officers warn against pub plan

They say the application on the site of the former Courts building, on St Leonards Road, will create disturbance to nearby residents and adequate ventilation equipment, waste storage and disabled facilities have not been demonstrated on the plans.

Full planning permission is being sought for change of use from a retail outlet to a bar.

The site had an application for change of use to a restaurant conditionally approved in 2007.

Chief planning officer Frank Rallings says the principal of a pub is not objectionable, but new flats have been built above which may be effected by noise from downstairs.

He will tell members in his report: "I am not convinced the question of noise disturbance can be adequately addressed. The premises are large and noise will exit the building with the opening of doors and the fact that smokers would have no alternative to using the pavement area or the small recessed area to the side in front of the entrances to the flats above.

"There does not appear to be an area available for the storage of waste and recycling bins as there is no rear yard. Indeed, the flats above now have two large scale wheelie bins at the St Leonards Road frontage; this arrangement is not good but it would be worse for residents if the area were also a general smoking area."

The recommendation is for full refusal.