Local authorities fight claims of red tape over smoking

Local authorities have strongly refuted claims that planning red tape is leaving licensees in the lurch before the smoking ban on July 1.

Planners say the pub industry has been slow to react to the ban and the number of applications for outside areas has fallen short of expectations.

John Silvester, spokesman for the Planning Officers Society, an umbrella organisation for local authority planners, said: "There hasn't been a major influx of applications, the feeling we are getting is that the pub industry has been a bit slow on the uptake and there hasn't been as much activity as we expected."

In Worcester just 10 pubs out of 130 have applied to build shelters.

Paul O'Connor, the council's planning manager, said: "I think, with the way that society is these days, that people don't react to a deadline in terms of project planning. It's a last-minute mentality, because businesses have got day-to-day things to worry about and don't think about the long term. Unfortunately the long term soon becomes the short term."

As reported in The Publican last week, Mike Rawley of the Gannow Wharf in Burnley, Lancashire, was initially told his shelter was illegal. The council has since visited and approved the structure.

Burnley Council said it had received just 18 applications for smoking shelters, despite the fact guidance on compliance has been issued to 3,000 businesses.

However, some pubs are still struggling to prepare for the impending ban. The Canterbury Arms in Ashton Under Lyne, Tameside, had its application for an awning rejected on the grounds of increased noise levels.

Licensee Ian Wharmby said he is "frustrated and unhappy" and has set up a meeting with the council's planning officer to "thrash it out".

Similarly, the Camden Head in North London had its application for extended opening times for the outside area rejected following noise pollution concerns from residents.

Struggling for cash

Wet-led pubs in Canterbury are struggling to fund outdoor smoking areas, according to the council.

Crystal Stean, smoke free officer, said pubcos had the financial clout to build outdoor areas whereas licensees in the wet trade are concerned about costs.

She said: "They may not have the money behind them to put in place a shelter or a roof garden, because they are a one-man band."