An application to retain the outside seating areas at the front of The Drill in Brentwood Road has been submitted by applicant Wayne Cunningham.
A planning statement labels the outside spaces as Area A and Area B and said both form a “legitimate and beneficial part of the public house’s operation”.
Area B has long been established as a seating area with only “minor boundary improvements made” recently, it said.
The planning document labels The Drill as a “well-established” site which has “long served as a valued community facility”.
It also notes that pubs were among the “hardest hit sectors” during the Covid 19 pandemic and national and local governments encouraged the use of outdoor seating to allow them to reopen safely with social distancing in place.
The document reads: “The Drill, in line with national guidance and industry practice, expanded and enhanced its outdoor provision during this period.
“This ensured the business could remain viable while providing a safe, regulated and socially beneficial environment for its customers.
“Since then, the expectation for high-quality hospitality space has become a permanent and valued feature of the sector.
“The Drill’s outdoor areas are therefore essential in meeting ongoing public demand and in ensuring the long-term success of this community facility.”
On November 10, Havering Council’s licensing sub-committee refused an application for the extension of The Drill’s opening hours.
Public protection officer Oisin Daly and PC Chris Stockman of the Metropolitan Police both raised concerns about the potential for “crime and disorder” due to “increased levels of intoxication”.
A representative for The Drill said at the meeting that the application to extend opening hours was aimed “purely to retain the existing customers”, rather than attracting new ones.
A decision is expected to be made on the application to retain the outdoor seating areas by January 14.
