Landlord 'gutted' after pub ordered to tear down shed

The Millers Arms in Mathern said its shed provided shelter to customers

A village pub has been told to pull down its large shed, affectionately nicknamed the "dog house", after losing an appeal.

Described as a "traditional shed", the barn-style structure was built without planning permission in a conservation area and used as an outdoor seating area beside the Millers Arms in Mathern, near Chepstow.

Landlord Shaun Barnsley said he was unaware the shed was being built in a conservation area for almost 10 months.

Monmouthshire County Council issued an enforcement notice, ordering the removal of the outbuilding, after a retrospective planning application to keep it was refused and the decision upheld on appeal earlier this year.

Mr Bransley put in an additonal appeal with Planning and Environment Decisions Wales which took the decision to uphold the council's notice.

The landlord added that, as well as providing shelter for customers at the pub, it had also been used by community groups and local charities.

It provided "a serene space for individuals seeking respite" and "serves as a hub for positive interactions within our neighbourhood", Mr Barnsley added.

Responding to the verdict of his latest appeal, Mr Barnsley said he was "gutted".

"I'm disappointed that it will no longer be there for the community to use. All the groups who use the dog house will now have to find another space."

The pub described the building as a "traditional shed"

Mr Barnsley's original appeal disputed the shed was "out of place" in a conservation area and highlighted a petition in support of keeping it.

The pub also received letters of support from individuals, Chepstow Cycling Club, the Bulwark Girl Guides - who were provided with free chips and curry sauce when they used the outbuilding for an activity day - and Scout groups from Chepstow and Abertillery.

Dismissing Mr Barnsley's appeal, independent inspector Julie de-Courcey said his evidence mostly related to the "perceived planning merits of the case" and his "discontent" with how the council handled the planning application.

She said those issues were not relevant to her considerations.

The outdoor space continues to be used by customers of the pub and the wider community.

"We don't charge people to use it," Mr Barnsley said, adding the cost of building the large shed had been between £24,000 and £26,000 and he estimated it would cost an additonal £6,000 to take down.