PLANS to retain the change the use of a former bowling green to an outdoor beer garden area at a pub have been submitted.

An application for the retention of the change of use of the former bowling green area to an outdoor beer garden amenity area at the Brown Edge, on Nutgrove Road, has been put forward.

It is currently "awaiting decision".

A planning statement states that, during the Covid-19 pandemic, the premises had no option but to explore ways in which to make the business viable and introduce the required social distancing standards as set out by the Government.

It says: “To this end the under-utilised bowling green was set out with social distancing in mind, providing an area of seating where patrons could safely enjoy socialising and gatherings.

“Post Covid-19 pandemic, the former bowling green area has continued to be used as a garden seating area for patrons of the public house.

“To this end, no complaints in terms of the loss of its use as a bowling green or requests for use of the area as a bowling green have been received.

“The one team that used the facility and played on the bowling green were happy to move to another club locally.”

The planning statement also states that the proposal is compliant with both local and national policy, representing a ‘sustainable form of development in a sustainable location’, having regard to the provision of the National Planning Policy Framework and the Development Plan.

It adds: “In accordance with NPPF, the presumption in favour of sustainable development applies because the application is in full accordance with the Development Plan, and planning permission should therefore be approved without delay.”