Pub loses bid to keep 'intrusive' beer garden

A pub in Lincoln's historic quarter has lost its bid to keep a beer garden that was created without planning permission.

Construction on a 36-person outdoor seating area at the Duke William Hotel in Bailgate began in November 2025 after the pub bought a neighbouring property, but a stop notice was served by City of Lincoln Council earlier this year.

The pub's attempt to get planning permission has now been rejected, with planners citing increased noise and loss of privacy for neighbours, as well as the impact on the Grade II listed building, which dates back to the 17th Century.

The Ever So Sensible Group, which runs the venue, said it strongly disagreed with the decision.

The development has faced a backlash from some local residents.

Imogen Wilde, who lives nearby, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "It has become extremely intrusive. We were more than prepared to accept a reasonable and expected level of noise associated with living near a pub.

"However, over time, the Duke William has significantly expanded its outdoor areas, to the point where the impact on our home and garden has become extremely unpleasant.

"What was once a lovely, peaceful and quiet place to spend time in our own garden has changed considerably."

A spokesperson for the venue said: "We take neighbours' amenity and the historic environment seriously, and it remains our firm belief that the proposal would have significantly improved neighbouring amenity.

"Our initial acoustic modelling predicted that, with the proposed screening in place, noise levels in the neighbouring garden would actually be lower than they are at present, despite the increase in customer numbers.

"The related enforcement notice is already being appealed, and we are reviewing this latest decision with our advisers."

The business said the development would have delivered "meaningful benefits", including increased trading capacity and the creation of new jobs.

It added that there had been an ongoing dispute with the council over how noise levels should be monitored, adding it was disappointed the decision had been issued before the matter had been resolved.

The Duke William Hotel has the right to appeal the decision.

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