CONTENTIOUS plans for a pub in Canford Cliffs to run an outside bar until 10pm every day have been approved, despite residents’ opposition.

The Plantation in Cliff Drive was stopped from serving alcohol outdoors by Poole council in May after it was found to be breaching the terms of its existing licence.

However, members of the authority’s licensing sub-committee granted permission for its use at a meeting on Monday.

The bar in the pub’s garden had been used for two years before the council wrote to its owners, Upham Pub Company, warning that it had been breaching its license by using the bar.

Council officers visited the pub on May 21 following a complaint from a resident.

Shortly after receiving the letter, an application to vary the pub’s licence to include the use of the bar was submitted.

The proposal attracted objections from more than a dozen residents who raised concerns about the potential for noise and anti-social behaviour issues should the change be approve.

Speaking at the meeting, Canford Cliffs resident Kerry Biggadike said: “The Plantation has already demonstrated a lack of compliance with these conditions.

“The Plantation is part of an established chain and they should have known they were in breach.

“This makes us question whether they will flout this licence again should it be permitted."

Representing Upham Pub Company, solicitor Jon Wallsgrove said that the outdoor bar would improve its employees' safety.

“This [the licence change] is promoting the licensing objective of improving public safety as it means that waiters and waitresses don’t have to walk between the garden and the inside bar carrying drinks for customers.

“There is nothing which would lead to an increase in the number of customers coming into the area and there are no plans to change what the pub offers – it’s simply to help Plantation staff.”

Councillors were also due to consider an addition to the licence to allow the pub to host live music outdoors until 7pm but this was withdrawn after representatives of the pub were told that this did not require a licence.

Despite Cllr Les Burden echoing concerns about the impact noise associated with the outdoor bar could have on nearby residents, the sub-committee of three councillors agreed to approve the change.