Eastwood pub owner happy with win, but angry neighbour calls decision ‘nonsense’

A Nottinghamshire pub owner has expressed relief after his tent, which neighbours said was making too much noise, was allowed to stay. But the decision was met with even more criticism, with one angry resident describing Kane Oliver’s arguments as “nonsense”.

Mr Oliver, owner of the eponymous building in Eastwood, was granted permission by Broxtowe Borough Council’s planning committee on Wednesday 24 July to retain the site’s extensive outdoor space.

This was contrary to the advice of the council’s planning officers, who argued that the large shelter was too large, damaged the Eastwood nature reserve and caused noise and other disruption to local residents. Speaking after the meeting Mr Oliver said: “I am delighted that Broxtowe Borough Council councillors have gone against the recommendations of their own officers and voted in favour of Oliver’s having our sign permanently displayed behind our popular pub.

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“This brand is a popular attraction in Eastwood and has held several charity events, raising money for a number of important causes. The brand has even held children’s parties and the last time they tried to revoke planning permission, hundreds of residents signed a petition to save it.”

Mr Oliver added that keeping the tent would allow him to employ more local people and hold more charity events. The innkeeper had spoken at the public meeting earlier this week but was followed by an angry neighbour who claimed his defence of the tent was “nonsense”.

“I’m very much against it because half of what comes out now is rubbish,” neighbour Ian Ward told councillors after Oliver outlined the benefits of the development, explaining that he lives closest to the marquee and can touch it through his garden wall.

He rejected Mr Oliver’s claim that the pub had stuck to the limit on the number of events it could hold in a year, with Mr Ward claiming he had made numerous complaints to the council which he said had been ignored. “It’s not fit for purpose, it’s always been too big, it’s damaging and it’s not right to be there,” he added.

Planning officers at the meeting said complaints had been made about noise from the tent and that officers had not been given evidence to show it had been used within the limits set by the council when temporary permission was previously granted. The tent was initially granted temporary permission in 2021, when planning rules were relaxed to allow pubs recovering from the Covid pandemic to use outdoor drinking areas.

Councillors voted to grant permanent permission for the covered area at the back of the pub, on condition that it close at 11pm and that it could only host 20 events a year. Councillor Greg Marshall, Labour representative for Beeston West, who voted in favour of keeping the marquee, said: “I think there are strong arguments around the night-time economy, I think that probably outweighs the need for a refusal.”

Mr Marshall, deputy leader of Broxtowe Borough Council, explained that he believes local residents will face increased noise pollution if planning permission is not granted for the ‘noise buffer’, as it could be replaced with tables and chairs.