Green light for dining terrace
Thumbs-up for plan despite objections
Plans for a 54-place external dining terrace at the front of a Blantyre hotel were last week given the go-ahead.
Residents neighbouring the Parkville Hotel on Glasgow Road had objected to Lisini Pub Co’s proposed extension between the existing lounge and public bar entrances.
The grounds for objection from Glasgow Road, Cowan Wilson Avenue and Straiton Place residents included over-development, noise, road safety, and loss of privacy.
An eight-signature petition from residents opposite the Parkville in Rowan Place was also lodged opposing the scheme, citing inadequate parking and current noise levels on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
It stated: “To have an extra 50plus people eating and drinking on the outside of the building will only add to this problem, probably from much earlier in the evening.”
However, officials pointed out to councillors the terrace – which will operate between 9am and 9pm seven days a week – “will not result in a significant or adverse impact on either residential or visual amenity”.
Planning chief Michael Mcglynn told Hamilton area committee councillors: “The proposed terrace will be relatively small in terms of the existing premises.
“It will not be used for drinking purposes after 9pm.
“In addition, the terrace will be at the front of the property where traffic noise will exist.
“Undoubtedly it will provide a new facility at the premises, but it is unlikely to be used consistently or at full capacity especially given the substantial likelihood of inclement weather.”
Mr Mcglynn further stressed that the terrace will be obscured by an existing building and new screening as well as trees and vegetation along the boundaries, with adjacent residential properties separated from the terrace by a one-way access/exit road to the car park surrounding the Blantyre premises.
He also pointed to the granting of planning permission for a partially roofed front extension to accommodate a smoking area in August 2012, and for external alternations to the front of the pub/ restaurant including a canopy, wall and steps in July 2013.
Mr Mcglynn commented: “Taking all these aspects together, and the fact that consent for a similar facility has been issued previously, I am not persuaded that there would be significant increase in loss of amenity that would justify refusal of consent.”