Licensee hits out at planning regulations

A York licensee has hit out at the decision by his local planning council to reject plans for an outdoor smoking patio for his bar.

Russ Brown, director of McMillan York, which owns the Bpm bar in York, called the decision by the West and City area planning sub-committee "totally senseless" and said his plan had received no complaints from local residents or the police.

The decision, made despite the city's officers' recommending the plans for approval, marks another episode in a growing list of disputes between publicans and local planning committees over outdoor smoking areas.

Mr Brown said: "Our plans were to create a railed-off patio area for smokers which we could properly police. Some members claimed it could lead to disturbance and others felt if people went outside for a cigarette then drinks left inside might be tampered with.

"They felt it was better that anyone wanting to smoke should just stand on the pavement. So shouldn't the same argument about drinks being spiked be used in this case?"

Mr Brown, who also owns Nexus nightclub in York, said that both his establishments had been accredited in York's Best Bar None scheme, and came top in categories relating to their policies on responsible drinking.

"We also pay for taxi marshals and weekend street cleaners," he added. "I just want to ask 'when was the last time any of the planning members visited the city at night?'"

The committee declined to comment on its decision.