Blandford pub smoking shelter is right in line of fire (From Bournemouth Echo)

Blandford pub smoking shelter is right in line of fire

7:00pm Tuesday 24th August 2010 in

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A BLANDFORD publican has pledged to take advice from district planning chiefs after permission was refused for a smoking shelter at his town centre pub.

John Peniston, landlord of Nelsons Ale House on Salisbury Street, had already put up a structure some eight metres wide and four metres high, which objectors described as a venue for musical events.

Mr Peniston spoke out at yesterday’s meeting of North Dorset District Council’s planning committee to defend the construction – built without permission – at the rear of his Salisbury Street pub.

“Is it a smoking shelter? In my opinion, it is.

“Is it necessary? I didn’t change the law. The government made people go outside to smoke.

“As an ex-smoker, I realise people like a cigarette with their pint.

“With the pub trade as it is, we need to cover every possible angle to keep people happy.

“Is it unsightly? It certainly is.

“Could it have been constructed with more concern for the conservation area? Certainly.

“I am more than happy to listen to advice,” he told councillors.

Mr Peniston “confessed” that he had received complaints from neighbours about noise from musicians in the “shelter”, but urged councillors to consider the timing and frequency of the performances.

“It has been used for music on three occasions, one of which was Georgian Fayre day.

“Pretty much every pub had something on Georgian Fayre day,” said Mr Peniston.

He said music had ended at 6pm on that occasion, and the pub had closed an hour later.

On the third occasion musicians had used the shelter – a 50th birthday party – the music had ended at 7.30pm, he added.

Planning committee member Cllr David Milsted backed the landlord’s view on smoking legislation, but questioned the design of his shelter.

“There’s no way anything built from scaffolding poles and plastic sheeting could possibly respect and enhance a conservation area.

“I’m all for pubs being able to thrive under this draconian law.

“There are solutions to that problem, but this ain’t it,”said Mr Milsted.

Councillors voted unanimously to refuse permission for the shelter.