A Kenilworth pub has lost its appeal to keep an "unneighbourly" barbecue shed after council planners raised environmental health concerns.

The Royal Oak on New Street saw its application for a shed to house the barbecue refused last year, having already built it directly underneath a property that has skylights that open in its roof.

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 then appealed the decision, saying it 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 would be a significant financial benefit to the pub if the barbecue were to be allowed.

However, a planning inspector has since dismissed the appeal.

A report from Warwick District Council this week explained: "The inspector considered that the venting of even small amounts of smoke, fumes and/or other emissions in such closeness to windows in residential properties would be unpleasant for the neighbouring occupiers and could force them to keep the windows and rooflights closed while the barbeque units are in operation and this would be far from fair to those occupiers and, as a result, cause unacceptable harm to their living conditions."

See the full application here.

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