‘Yes’ to Sidbury pub marquee bid

A POPULAR pub on the outskirts of Sidbury has been allowed to temporarily keep a marquee that has boosted its trade.

A POPULAR pub on the outskirts of Sidbury has been allowed to temporarily keep a marquee that has boosted its trade.

New owners of the Hare and Hounds Inn at Putts Corner hoped to renew planning permission which ran out on December 12.

Heartstone Inns said it was “reassessing the best permanent solution” to extend the premises’ current trade area and asked the marquee be allowed to stay in place until it is found.

Sidmouth Town Council Planning Committee members last year declined to support the bid, saying the marquee was a “poor” structure in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

However, planning authority East Devon District Council (EDDC) said the marquee could stay in place for another year.

The council ruled temporary consent would support the popular business in tough economic times while having no long-lasting detrimental affect on the AONB.