Landlord must tear down pub's decking and play area after planning knock-back

A pub landlord must tear down decking and a children's play area after planners refused permission.

Torfaen Borough Council said the facilities at Castell y Bwch Inn at Henllys, near Cwmbran, were a "visual intrusion into the landscape".

But landlord Gary Bulmer said they were "vital" to the success of his business, which he bought in 2022, and removing them would have a "massive impact" on trade.

Bulmer is considering an appeal but hoped a compromise could still be reached.

"I don't accept that it's visually intrusive," he said.

"Everyone who comes says it's wonderful but it now has to be taken down."

Bulmer said the outside seating and play area, which overlooks Newport with views stretching across to the Severn Estuary, had become an important attraction for families visiting the steakhouse.

"It will have a massive impact on trade if this goes, it would be greatly diminished. Is this 50 square metres where the decking is so important?"

Bulmer's application to keep the facilities was first made in 2023, and revised in March this year with further plans submitted.

The council had served an enforcement notice on the previous tenants in 2022 which outlined what the council considered the established boundaries for food and drink use.

More than 3,000 people signed a petition, launched in 2024, urging council planners to agree the decking, play area and marquee could remain and the planning application said they were vital to the viability of the business.

However, planning officer Simon Pritchard recommended the application to be refused.

His report stated: "The change of use and the retention of the decking and play area is considered to be fundamentally contrary to Green Wedge policy and has a visually harmful effect on the character and appearance of the area which is a designated Special Landscape Area.

"For these reasons, it is recommended that planning permission should be refused."

Bulmer disputed that assessment, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

He said the only direct view of the decking and play area was from a public footpath beneath it that was no longer accessible.

"Where is the visibility from? You can't get down the public footpath because it is full of brambles. You would need a machete to get through there," he said.

Bulmer is considering an appeal, which he estimates would cost him around £2,500 in fees, but hopes to hold further talks with the council: "The first step is to see if I can lessen the visual impact, maybe putting some bushes up or trees."

Bulmer said it was vital the pub was able to make the most of the outside area and attract families as a steakhouse.

"To keep this place viable I have a full-time job," he said.

"You have to make hay while the sun shines to get you through the quiet months."

Bulmer said his other options were to either sell the pub, though it has been on the market for 18 months, or close it and make a planning application for residential use.

He said pubs were struggling with increased costs and "people in south Wales will not pay £8 or £9 a pint which is what you'd need to charge to get back to profit margins pre-Covid".