A WIMBORNE café and wine bar has been refused permission to use a rear patio as outdoor seating space – although it was, legitimately, used during the Covid restrictions.

Dorset Council turned down the application for Thirsty Bird in East Street, including the building of a new a roofed pergola. The site is within the town’s conservation area and the main building is listed.

One neighbour had objected to the proposals claiming the additional use would increase disturbance for them and lead to a loss or privacy – alleging that it would lead to people being able to see inside their kitchen and bedrooms.

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“When we first moved into this house it was perfectly peaceful and private, however we are now facing potentially four corners of our home being peered in on and it’s not fair at all if this goes ahead,” said the neighbour in a letter of objection.

A planning agent on behalf of the business told Dorset Council: “The proposal would enable the outdoor seating area to be used in most weather conditions, providing a practical and amendable environment for customers of the Thirsty Bird. It would contribute towards a welcoming and relaxed environment which would involve a high standard of design and implementation.”

The agent claimed the development would be largely screened from neighbouring properties by existing walls, despite their claims.

Wimborne Town Council objected to the application on the grounds that the proposal will be “detrimental to the amenity of nearby residential properties.”

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Some town residents had supported the application claiming other businesses nearby already have outdoor seating and that the extra space would benefit the economy of the business and the town.

During the consultation process the Thirsty Bird submitted an amendment to limit the use of the outdoor area until 5pm Monday to Wednesday; to 9pm Thursday to Saturday and to 4pm on Sundays and Bank Holidays with no smoking or music at any time and no more than 25 customers to use the area.

A council officer concluded that the extra proposed restrictions offered “would not result in any significant improvement for neighbours’ amenity” and would still allow more customers to use the garden area than during the Covid period when numbers were restricted by social distancing rules.