RESIDENTS have come out in large numbers to support plans to change part of a town centre pub in Christchurch.

The Thomas Tripp at Wick Lane has applied for permission to replace the damaged awnings in the beer garden with a single large awning.

It will be retracted into a central frame when not in use to reduce the visual impact from the street.

A statement included with the application said: "The beer garden area of the pub is a significant and historical feature of the building and the proposal is designed in such a way as to make this space useable in a wider variety of weather conditions which patrons of the public house will benefit from."

Resident Raymond Nyenje said in support of the application: "The Thomas Tripp is probably the last proper community local pub in Christchurch and has had significant investment in the last couple of years. The lovely garden is a real asset for the patrons and can only be enhanced by replacing the storm damaged awnings that have always been in existence before.

"The proposed replacements are lower than the ones that were storm damaged and less intrusive than the previous ones that had solid ends when viewed from the road. The awnings are simply a much-improved replacement to an existing condition and therefore I believe them to be fully appropriate and the application should be supported."

In a statement written on behalf of Libra Homes - developer of the former Royal Mail Sorting Office - Helen Rosier, of Tanner and Tilley planning consultants, raised concerns over the proposed site.

"A not dissimilar proposal was determined at appeal in 2003 after the council issued an enforcement notice for the unauthorised erection of a tented awning. The appeal against the enforcement notice was dismissed due to its unacceptably harmful impact on the Christchurch Central Conservation Area," the letter states.

The Thomas Tripp is locally listed and dates back to the early 19th century with original features including sash windows and chimneys.

The proposal is likely to go before the Christchurch council planning committee on Thursday, May 25, though the agenda has not yet been set.