A CHRISTCHURCH pub has been ordered to install an extractor fan in its beer garden after barbecue smoke wafted towards a neighbouring property.

Owners of The Thomas Tripp, a pub on Wick Lane, sought retrospective planning permission for a timber structure erected in its beer garden housing a barbecue, as well as additional seating, an entrance porch and other changes described by planning officers as “minor”.

However, on Thursday evening the town’s planning control committee heard from Andrew Houghton, a resident of a neighbouring property for 47 years, who complained that smoke had filled his own garden since the installation of the barbecue and that the development of the outside area had resulted in more noise.

“In my view the garden and the music are linked – it all creates a noise nuisance,” he said.

“For a long time it wasn’t a problem, but slowly it has escalated and now there is live music five nights a week.

“It says it has been a beer garden for 25 years – but that is not exactly true – it has developed as a beer garden and is something which is quite different.”

He went on to suggest that no music should be allowed under the pergola, recounting an occasion when he was kept awake as revellers loudly sang Tom Jones hit Delilah.

However, the pub’s co-owner since 2010, Simon Wyatt-Budd, defended the development and cited 150 letters of support against 12 letters in objection.

He said: “The public house is by definition and by its actions a community local that is protected as a business by planning policy.”

The committee agreed that planning permission should be granted, but with a condition attached that the barbecue is not used again until an extractor fan is installed.

The pub owners were criticised for only seeking planning permission after the garden’s building work had already been completed.

Cllr Trevor Watts said: “I get a bit of bugbear about retrospective applications. I really would like people to take on board it’s a bit disrespectful to the council members – you go along, put something up and go ‘I’ll get retrospective planning permission’. I really don’t like it, but I am happy to support it on this occasion.”