A Hove wine bar has been told to take down the garden shelter it put up during the pandemic.
Elvis Kiri was told to take down the shelter he had put up at the back of Paris Wine Bar in Church Road after it ws brought to the attention of planning officers in early 2022.
He appealed the enforcement notice and submitted two planning applications in a bid to keep it.
But both were turned down and last week, a planning inspector rejected his appeal.
In a statement submitted with both planning applications in 2022 and 2023, Absolute Town Planning said: “Of note, the current proposal has developed during the covid pandemic and at a time when the hospitality sector has been encouraged to facilitate outdoor dining.
“The internal space created by the current proposal significantly adds to the viability of the enterprise. The impact of the pandemic on the hospitality sector is particularly important and to be given some weight in the planning balance.
But planning inspector Alastair Phillips said: The appellant has raised the point that the hospitality industry was significantly harmed by the pandemic and the rear extension has been the business’s response in an effort to remain viable.
“I have taken this into consideration and, indeed, the improvement of existing businesses accords with Policies CP2 of the LP Part One.
“However, it is clear to me that the extension has not been designed to be a temporary feature but is intended to be permanent.
“Restrictions associated with covid have been lifted and the need for the business to provide increased covered seating in a well-ventilated area is no longer a justification for the development in place.
“In any case, I do not consider that the benefits to the business outweigh the harm caused to the significance of the host building, wider listed terrace, or the conservation areas.”
In a report recommending the refusal of the extension, planning officer Jack Summers said: “This property has been the subject of several applications for rear extensions since 2004 … all proposals for large increases in floorspace spanning most or all of the width of the rear garden (refused for design, size and materials).
“The current application is the first to also involve an extension over the full length of the plot.
“Extensions that would project beyond the width of the existing outrigger have clearly been robustly resisted on this site in the past.
“It is considered that this background illustrates a consistent approach to the implementation of heritage policies and principles over many years.
“It was considered that these proposals did not respect the traditional form of terrace development typical of 19th century housing, and along with unsympathetic rear extensions of neighbouring properties (built prior to listing) such full width rear extensions would further erode the outrigger arrangement which is a characteristic feature that should not be lost.
“It is considered that the increased scale of the current proposal results in an even greater impact than the previous schemes and is also strongly resisted.”
Very uninspiring wine list and the food is overpriced.
And it’s not even in Paris.
Not sure a map would help,,,, or GPS
What a shame, looks amazing !
I think the extension is very well designed and surely less noisy for the neighbours – shame on the pompous council for not approving this and helping a local independent business.
funny this the council can put up the the i30 that is a drain on the people of hove and brighton but as soon as something is done for us to enjoy and have some leisurely fun they want it taken down . perhaps this fellow has not greased the right pockets ?🤔
It certainly doesn’t look very temporary but is probably a lot tidier than the garden would be if it wasn’t there.
I love the garden at Paris. It means if there is a rain shower they can put the roof over and people can carry on eating and drinking in the garden. And when the roof is covered they do not allow smoking so I can’t see the problem
Meanwhile on the beach in Kemptown more and more of the sea edge is being built on. Wehave an ugly set of buildings built and the seaside sauna which looks like an industries belching out smoke from burning wood. Unsightly and environmentally unsound.
Same council. Figure the logic
Oh…should we be surprised at this from a council that can’t run their own finances, allows planning to flaunt a grade one listed pier (still an eyesore) in the shape of a white elephant tower, allows pot holes to continue to plague motorists, a seafront In desperate need of a coat of paint. No…instead they chose to demand a business (that is an extremely welcome and we’ll run) to dismantle a fantastic addition to what was just a back yard totally unfit in winter, even for smokers. When are the people’s in Hove going to continue to keep this hideous council in power and get common sense back to running the town… Not some pumped up individual quoting a ‘jobsworth’ theory of always going by the book. It truly is a disgrace and the people should be up in arms.
Total agree with these comments, the Paris wine bar is one of the best bars In hove, especially with what they have done in the garden ,I think hove council should be investigated for some of the appalling decisions they have made
I love sitting in the garden there is so relaxing… can’t see the problem with it .. just the council being their usual self.. they need to sort out the pavements and stop worrying about a beet garden 🤬
Councillors need to realise that they work for the people that vote for them and stupid decisions like this, will result in them being voted out!
Support local independent businesses!
The purpose of the council: anything to kill businesses.
I love and in fact prefer the wine garden. The vibe in this bar is so good for a drink and light dishes.
How is affecting this extension the landscape or anything ?
Ridiculous and awful measures.
These places are good for mental health.
All businesses should be supported.
This is not a comunist country.
What an absurd decision and utterly par for the course with our shambolic council.
The garden is tastefully and well-designed and a godsend during inclement weather. I’m sure it was also rather costly, at a time when businesses (especially hospitality) are struggling to continue.
Hopefully, a petition can be started to overturn what is an utter nonsense.
From the picture the garden next door is clearly not used as it’s the back end of a business.
Clearly the guy that runs the bar has actually used good quality materials and design, so not really sure why they have decided that it all needs ripping down. Who can actually see it? Who’s actually affected in a negative way?
The front of the property has been kept in keeping so…
Planning on this occasion, congratulations you’ve ruined a decent venue and someone’s livelihood for what gain?
Granted it’s overpriced and pretentious, but it is in hove so lol… Whatever
He is subject to the same rules as everyone else and chose to flout them. Extending your ‘internal’ seating area by stealth is a risk and he got caught. Simple.
Can the general public get a petition to put to the council, after all it is the public who pay their wages
What a shame such few places like this to go and enjoy. They encouraged businesses to supply this sort of service for people’s wellbeing and mental health during the pandemic therefore surely having gone above and beyond in times of need for the local community the local community and council should support the local business owner. I for one would sign a petition in favour it’s such a lovely place to go.