Bar to be ordered to remove illegal decking

The bar's decking has been in place for years, but is set to be ordered to come down

A bar is set to be ordered to remove its only outdoor space by a Nottinghamshire council.

The Berliner in Chilwell launched a campaign to keep its decking in May 2024 after new management took over the site to be told by planners an outdoor smoking and dining space installed eight years ago was illegal.

An application for retrospective permission was submitted by directors Curtis Salmon and Katie Elnor, but denied by Broxtowe council.

Now an amended plan to keep the area with a new fence to curtail any disturbance to people nearby is also recommended for refusal at a meeting on Wednesday.

In a report recommending the decking be denied, officers said despite the installation of a "sound absorbing fence" and other nearby businesses having beer gardens, the impact of noise from The Berliner remains "unacceptable".

Two neighbours had told the council they supported the bar, but a third raised concerns that while work had been done to mitigate the noise and disturbance that "issues remain" including "shouting, cheering and chanting".

Customers and their dogs look set to lose their outside space

Mr Salmon previously said a petition had been launched in support of the bar's planning application.

He said losing the area "could devastate the business, adding: "There's been a lot of support. It's been there since basically when the bar opened.

"We truly believe the respectful use of the decking and having a safe area to get fresh air or to smoke is both beneficial and necessary."