A Kenilworth pub has appealed the decision to refuse planning permission for an "unneighbourly" barbecue shed.

The Royal Oak on New Street saw its application for the shed to house the barbecue refused last year, with Warwick District Council's planning committee raising environmental health concerns.

A shed to house the barbecue had already been put up directly underneath a property that has skylights that open in its roof.

But it was judged the plans for the grade II listed pub "would harm living conditions at neighbouring properties", outweighing the economic benefits for the pub. 

The Royal Oak has now submitted a planning appeal, saying the decision was based on the wrong information.

"The decision is based upon a fundamental misunderstanding, by the Environmental Health Officer," the appeal said, "of the nature of the smoking units proposed, their form, operation, emissions and necessary mitigation, and the proposed hours/days of operation.

"On the basis of the above, the proposal would not result in smoke, cooking odours and ash entering adjacent neighbouring windows to create undue disturbance and harm to the living conditions within the neighbouring dwellings."

The appeal also said there was a big financial benefit to the pub if the barbecue were to be allowed.

It added: "The proposal would widen the attraction of the Royal Oak and this would help secure its future.

"The appellants are not making a viability case for the proposal per se.

"However, it is self-evident that many (if not most) hospitality venues are facing increased commercial pressures in the post-pandemic environment, accompanied by historically high levels of inflation."

When the application was discussed last July, some 41 supporting responses had been received alongside 14 objections, many from neighbours.

Cllr Judy Falp said at last year's meeting: "We have a senior environmental officer saying it should be refused and I think the houses are near enough to suffer the harm from this.

"I am all for supporting businesses, it is right that we do so, but this isn't appropriate in the conservation area and so close to houses. I think we should refuse it."

That view was supported by all bar one member of the committee. Cllr Jim Sinnott cast the sole vote against. 

See the full application here.

(Image by Ian Rob via geograph.org.uk)