The plans for the roof terrace and beer garden in Falmouth at JD Wetherspoon, The Packet Station, have been given the green light.

The area of the additional terrace is currently an unused flat roof area accessible only for maintenance access.

Granted conditional approval, the application sees the creation of a roof level terrace and beer garden including the addition of an internal passenger lift.

This application follows a previous attempt for a roof terrace which was dismissed on appeal in 2018.

The main changes to the application include the reduction in the number of covers reduced from 174 patrons to 104, the terrace to be stepped back from the front elevation of the building by 2 metres and the roof terrace to close at 7pm.

A concluding committee report read:

"The pub makes a contribution to the vitality and viability of Falmouth town centre and the proposed development would result in additional facilities for customers, as well as potential for new jobs. The Cornwall Local Plan highlights that proposals for new employment uses should be well integrated with our towns.

"The Town Council recommend approval in terms of design and are satisfied with the reduced hours proposed.

"The negative impacts relates to the increased noise from the deck to neighbouring properties and it is less than substantial harm to the Conservation Area."

[H3] The noise report [.H2]

One of the main concerns of the plans was the noise from the terrace that would impact the surrounding neighbours. What did the committee say?

The noise report meets the technical requirements of the Council but it is recognised that there will be noise audible from the proposed terrace and this will have potential adverse effects on the nearest neighbours.

It is recognised that excessive noise can be very harmful to the enjoyment of property, especially to outdoor private amenity areas.

Excessive noise can be controlled by other legislation, but the terrace will introduce noise from the proposed mechanical extraction systems and from patrons talking which will cause potential adverse harm to neighbours.

The main change introduced by this revised proposal is that the number of patrons is reduced from 174-104 and the applicant is proposing to close the deck at 19:00, rather than the previously proposed 22:00.

The harm identified is to be mitigated by the imposition of conditions relating to the opening times and for no audible music to be played.