PLANS to extend a pub beer garden in Dorchester town centre have provoked an angry response from local residents.

Neighbours of the Royal Oak claim a proposal to remove a garage and store room at the rear of the establishment and extend the garden will lead to an increase in noise disturbance and expose them to more anti-social behaviour.

Pub company Wetherspoon had submitted an application to West Dorset District Council for the scheme that also included a proposal for a new bin store and large canopy or ‘jumbrella’.

However, the application was withdrawn as it emerged that planning permission was not required for those elements and was only needed for alterations to the doors and windows facing the garden, which will form the subject of a separate application.

Residents of Princes Street, whose properties back on to the pub, have issued a statement after meeting to discuss Wetherspoon’s plans.

They claim that since the creation of the existing beer garden and the introduction of the smoking ban they have already had to put up with noise, smoke and light pollution and various incidents of anti-social behaviour from customers including fights and a glass being thrown through one of their windows.

Residents say the garage and bin store acts as a sound and light barrier and their removal would lead to more disruption while extending the garden right up to their properties would increase problems further.

Their statement says: “The proximity of noise, smell and anti-social behaviour represents an intrusion into residents’ personal and private space.”

Resident David Payne said many of the neighbours were customers of the pub and were not against its activity in general, but just felt the latest application was ‘going a step too far’.

He said: “We have lived with it and can live with it as it exists, but they want to come even closer.

“We are not anti-smokers and it’s not about being anti-pub life it’s about them going a step too far.”

Neighbour Solmaz Tavsanoglu added: “When you live in the town centre you expect a level of noise but it needs to be controlled.”

When the planning application, which has now been withdrawn, was considered by Dorchester Town Council’s planning and environment committee it also raised concerns for members.

The committee submitted a formal objection to the application citing the impact it would have on neighbouring properties.

Company pledge to consider neighbours' views

THE COMPANY that owns the pub has promised to ‘take on board’ the concerns of the neighbouring residents.

Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said: “Wetherspoon is always keen to ensure that any work carried out at its pubs is no problem for people living nearby. We take on board the concerns of the residents and will look to address these in due course.”