Pub annex is a pane in the glass for residents

A Birmingham pub has been granted permission to retain a controversial outside glazed seating area despite complaints about noise from the facility.

Suburban Inns submitted a retrospective application to the city council to retain the glasshouse outside The Village Inn, Alcester Road, Moseley, after it emerged the structure had been erected without planning permission next to the pub’s car park.

The pub’s patio area has been used by drinkers for at least 10 years and planning permission was granted in 2014 allowing it to retain a canopy over the area where the glasshouse has been located. However, when the structure was enclosed by glass in March it was done so without proper consent.

The 15m-long enclosure comprises of a grey steel frame, with glazed sides and a shallow pitched retractable fabric awning roof. It is capable of seating 48 people.

Local residents had objected to the structure because of the noise it generated and they appealed to the council that should it grant permission for the structure then conditions should be attached that restricted its use.

They urged there should be no amplified or live music allowed in the structure, and that it should not be used for functions.

The city’s planning committee said the proposals were acceptable but added conditions banning the use of amplified equipment and restricting its hours of use to 8am-11.30pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 10.30pm on Sundays. It further stipulated it should not be used for regulated entertainment after 7pm.

The permission also bans the glasshouse from being used for weddings, functions and other major events.

An agent for the applicants said the conditions were acceptable.