A village pub will be allowed to keep two gazebos that were  erected during the Covid pandemic, a planning committee ruled.

Conwy’s planning committee met at Bodlondeb this week and discussed The White Lion pub in Llanelian.

The pub applied to Conwy’s planning department, seeking permission to keep the structures up for another three years until a more permanent solution can be found.

The committee heard how the gazebos had been a lifeline for the business during the pandemic and in the years after.

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But planning officers advised the committee to turn down the application after the council started enforcement action to remove the gazebos after temporary permission expired, due to the pub being in a conservation area.

Conwy’s conservation officer said the pavilion structures were “causing harm to the setting of the Grade II listed White Lion, the Grade II* Parish Church of St Elian, as well as having an adverse impact on the character of the Llanelian yn Rhos Conservation Area”.

But the planning committee went against officers’ advice.

Speaking in favour of the application, Miss Sioned Edwards said: “The White Lion is a popular public house within the village of Llanelian, and it is an important community pub within the village.

“The structures were a lifeline for the pub during the incredibly challenging global pandemic and have grown to be a popular addition to the establishment. They are used by customers who are still concerned about going indoors due to various health reasons or disabilities, which make them vulnerable, and they prefer to sit in an outdoor area but with some shelter.”

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She added the areas were also used by dog owners and used for over-fill during busy days, and that the pub was looking for a more long-lasting solution in terms of a permanent structure once it was in a better position financially.

She added: “Economically, times are still challenging, and the development has helped to ensure the longevity of the establishment as a local business.

“To remove the structures at this point, without a permanent alternative in place, could have significant impact on the operation of the business and the viability of the pub in the long run.

“I’m sure you’ll be aware of the number of pubs that have been closing their doors, with the Welsh Beer and Pub Association stating that last year alone 63 pubs closed down in Wales. This is expected to be higher this year, following the reduction of support of Welsh Government in terms of business rates. And we don’t want the White Lion to be another statistic.”

Cllr Ifor Lloyd spoke in favour of the application and proposed councillors went against officers’ recommendation, allowing the structure to remain for a temporary period of three years on sustainability grounds.

“This is a pub which is in the centre of one of my villages in my ward,” he said.

“Planning is based on want, not on need, and I believe this application is quite clearly a need for the retention for the structures in question but only on a temporary basis. Money is not a material consideration in planning, but the viability of a business is, especially when it is at the heart of a community as this pub is.”

He added that it would be unthinkable for the village to lose its pub.

Cllr David Carr seconded Cllr Lloyd’s proposal.

He said: “I think it is important that The White Lion does stay open. It is not going to be permanent. It is for another three years. I think pubs are at the heart of communities. I think that pub is very much at the heart of the community in Llanelian.”

Cllr Antony Bertola said: “They need a leg up if I may say so. It is a hidden gem.”

Councillors were unanimous in their decision to back the pub, but the decision will need to be reaffirmed at September’s planning committee, due to councillors going against officers’ recommendation.