Plans have been submitted for a new outdoor drinking and children’s play area at a Leyburn pub.
A planning application has been submitted to Richmondshire District Council for the changes at the town’s Bolton Arms.
The scheme would see wooden decking created to the side of the pub on part of the venue’s existing car park. A small children’s play area would also be built, while a wooden pergola would be added over an existing patio.
The work would mean the loss of five car parking spaces.
To alleviate the loss, the business says it would aim to reduce the number of non-customers using its parking areas with a new parking strategy including wheel clamping.
Documents submitted with the plans state: “This is a positive and sensitive approach to a listed building with all works proposed a minor alteration with key assets retained and not affected.
“The proposed changes fully respect these features and will cause no harm to the building’s architectural or historic character.
“In order for this vital community asset in Leyburn to remain and to be able to support itself, modern intervention is required to meet the up to date standards, in this instance an improved external drinking area offering family facilities and a new comfortable external drinking area.”
They add: “Once a village pub has gone it is difficult to bring them back, and this is already the case in neighbouring villages who have now lost their focal point and community asset.
“We therefore respectfully request that this application be supported.” [kofi]
