Roof terrace beer garden plan for Wellington Wetherspoons
A national pub chain wants to build a roof terrace on one of its Shropshire establishments.
JD Wetherspoon has applied for planning permission to put the terrace on the roof of The William Withering in Wellington town centre.
The application is currently being assessed by Telford & Wrekin's planning department.
The proposal is to remove first-floor accommodation from the New Street pub and to build a beer garden in its place.
A document submitted by JD Wetherspoon states: "While the main customer area remains unchanged, the proposal includes removal of much of the first-floor accommodation at the front of the property and the creation of a beer garden on this and the existing flat roof, including covered canopies."
It adds: "The proposal includes provision of a replacement external customer staircase up from the existing beer garden on the right-hand side, and a new internal escape staircase within the existing envelope to the left-hand side.
"New balustrades are provided to the edges of the roof, while a new window is provided from the customer area looking into the existing beer garden.
"Internal alterations include enlargement of the male customer toilets to current standards, together with improved staff facilities and provision of food and drinks serveries to service the new beer garden."
The architectural firm behind the plans said the changes would bring more light to the street.
Their report states: "Removal of much of the first-floor accommodation at the front of the property and replacement with a glass balustrade will create a more contemporary appearance, bringing added interest and light to the street scene, and encourage customers to enjoy this new outdoor space.
"Timber joists between part of the retained structural frame will create an interplay of light and shade, whilst retention of the frame will maintain the existing roof line.
"A similar glass balustrade is provided along the right hand edge of the flat roof to maintain connectivity with the existing beer garden below, whilst a 2m high timber fence is provided along the left hand edge of the roof to maintain the privacy of the residential properties to the left."
The design and access statement also suggests that the consideration of smokers has played a large part in the proposal.
It states: "Since legislation preventing smoking in public spaces was introduced some years ago, public house operators have striven to provide external spaces to allow for customers who wish to smoke.
"Creation of a covered area will have a number of benefits. J D Wetherspoon always have at least one duty manager on site during opening hours.
"Where designated smoking areas are provided, operating policy requires customers who wish to smoke to be directed to those areas, avoiding conflict with non-smoking customers."
