A WREXHAM pub owner’s plans to create an outdoor area for customers to drink during the summer looks set to be rejected despite receiving community support.

Jeremy Hughes, who runs The White Lion in Holt, originally set up a pergola outside the front of the property in August.

However, he received a visit from council officials shortly after, who said he did not have permission and asked him to take it down.

A retrospective bid to gain approval put forward by Mr Hughes is set to be considered by Wrexham Council’s planning committee next week.

It has received 43 letters from residents backing the proposals, but the local authority’s chief planning officer has recommended the scheme should be refused.

In a report, Lawrence Isted claimed it would obscure views of the front of the building on Castle Street, which is located inside a conservation area.

The Leader:

Jeremy Hughes, who runs The White Lion in Holt, originally set up a pergola outside the front of the property in August. Source: Wrexham Council

He said: “Because of their fixed nature, I am of the opinion that these enclosures are development and form an intrinsic part of the overall structure.

“The creation of a more formal and comfortable area will, to a degree, encourage prolonged customer usage throughout opening hours.

“Whilst I have no concerns with the use of the covered area, I am concerned that to allow the structure at the pub frontage would result in cumulative structures that obscure the frontage of the existing building.

“The scheme does not preserve or enhance the character of the conservation area and I recommend accordingly.”

Mr Isted said the pub could still put unfixed benches and umbrellas in place without the need for a planning application.

But villagers said parasols displaying adverts would be more harmful, and claimed the development would improve the appearance of the pub.

They also accused the council of wasting its time and said Mr Hughes was only seeking to make his business a success.

Speaking previously to The Leader, the 55-year-old landlord said he was “disappointed” by the council’s request to remove the pergola.

He said: “We’ve always been a pub that has allowed outside drinking and it’s never been an issue.

“We decided that we would install a pergola outside the front of the pub because it would allow for us to accommodate more people at The White Lion during the summer months.

“All I’m trying to do is attract as many people to my business as possible, to give more people the chance to enjoy a drink outside so that they don’t all have to cram inside.

“I’m just very confused and disappointed really. Wrexham Council are not helping support my pub by taking away something that helps me drive more business.”

A decision will be made on the proposals at a meeting being held at Wrexham’s Guildhall on Monday, November 4.