Shrewsbury pub's plan knocked back for fifth time
A Shropshire landlord has criticised planning officials after his proposals for an alfresco terrace were turned down for the fifth time – causing him to give up on the scheme altogether.
Quintin Morgan, who runs Morgan's pub in Bellstone, had hoped diners would finally be able to sit outside in a raised seating area, after Shrewsbury Town Council supported his plans for more outdoor seating as well as disabled access.
But the landlord can no longer afford to fight for the proposals to be reconsidered, and believes his business initiative has now come to the "end of the road".
Hundreds of people signed a petition last year after Mr Morgan's plans were knocked back by the council, which has claimed a conservation area would be effected.
Shrewsbury Residents' Association also objected strongly to the plans, but Mr Morgan believes his business may now suffer as a result of the scheme being turned down.
He said: "So many places have things like this, and the whole experience has been sheer lunacy.
"To say this is a conservation area is ridiculous and it really has come to the end of the road now.
"I simply can't do anymore, I won't be putting any further plans forward because I have been fighting for this for years.
"You see places like this in France or Switzerland, it's not a crazy idea and there has been so much support for it.
"It's just so frustrating and I feel like there is nothing more I can do. Shropshire Council needs to make up its mind as to what it actually wants in the town centre."
Mr Morgan added: "Look at all the uproar that was caused by The Square which is now ultimately better for the changes.
"I feel like there is no support for business, which is really sad.
"It would have been a wonderful addition for the area and the disabled access I so badly wanted is not going to happen."
Morgan's underwent a major refurbishment earlier this year, but Councillor Vernon Bushell, chairman of Shropshire Council's planning committee, said the plans encroached on pavement space.
There was also concern that residents living close to the proposed development could be effected by any noise generated by late-night drinkers, which Mr Morgan has said is completely "untrue".
