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The Lexden Crown Colchester ordered to take down marquee
The Lexden Crown, in Colchester, installed the covering and a timber canopy in its pub garden in 2020 in response to Government Covid guidelines.
It offered a seating space which protected punters from poor weather while allowing a safe space to enjoy a drink or a meal.
Bosses at the pub in Lexden Road said the facilities were a boost for business as the garden could now cater for up to 140 people when previously it could only host 78, all on benches.
In March, the pub submitted a retrospective planning application for the marquee and canopy to be a permanent feature.
But the plan has been rejected after ten objections, mostly complaining about noise, were handed to Colchester Council.
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One complaint read: “Since the marquee and outside structures have been erected, the noise and traffic have increased greatly.
“As a resident close to the pub we do expect some noise but The Crown is now causing more than is fair and acceptable.
“We are now not looking forward to sitting in our garden this summer due to the noise from the pub.”
Other objectors cited “frequent” DJ events held in the marquee which left sound spilling out for all to hear.
A planning statement submitted on behalf of owner Patrik Minder states consideration to neighbours was a “priority” throughout the application process.
The document says the partially-enclosed seating area has reduced the risk of noise pollution and no music will be amplified outside normal opening hours.
It concludes: “We have demonstrated that the location, scale and materials of the interventions are appropriate for the setting and do not affect the neighbours adversely.”
Rejecting the application, Colchester Council’s place and client manager Karen Syrett said the marquee and canopy are “incongruous” with the street scene.
She added: “The temporary nature of the buildings are not effectively sound proofed, therefore the impact on sound pollution to surrounding dwellings is considered harmful in terms of neighbour amenity.”
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