Portobello pub could be forced to tear down beachfront beer terrace by Edinburgh council

The Boathouse says it needs its terrace because the business relies on summer customers to keep going

A PORTOBELLO pub has warned the viability of its business is at stake if planners force it to dismantle its covered beachfront beer terrace.

The Boathouse on the promenade at King’s Place, which opened last July, is seeking retrospective planning permission for the structure.

A decision is due to be made by councillors on the city’s development management sub-committee today, but officials have recommended refusal.

The planning report says there have been noise complaints and the terrace design is not sympathetic to the character of the original building.

But the Boathouse points out that there have been 66 letters of support for the application and just nine objecting.

'Overwhelmed' by support

A post on the pub’s website says: “The planning officer has recommended refusal. So we are putting out trust in the wisdom and common sense of the individual councillors who sit on the sub-committee in the hope they will see fit to overturn that recommendation.

“We are overwhelmed by the level of support that you gave us and we hope that it will help to sway the decision.

“It’s not exaggerating to say that the viability of the business depends very much on the terrace continuing to operate. It’s a seasonal business and we need to make hay while the sun shines, while continuing to be a good neighbour.”

Bob Jefferson, spokesman for the Boathouse, said: “Since we opened we’ve had so many people saying they love the design and what we’ve done with it. This was a very run-down part of the prom. It has been the unfashionable end for a long time and we’re doing something about that and our neighbours appreciate that.”

He said if planning permission was granted the pub would be happy to install double-glazing and a proper roof, providing better sound-proofing and heat insulation.

“If we did have to remove the covered terrace then we would be left with an open-air beer garden which would inevitably mean more noise complaints.”

The report by officials says the terrace amounts to over-development of the site, to the detriment of the character of the area; the materials are not appropriate for the site; and the works carried out represent “incongruous additions which are not sympathetic to the character and appearance of the original building”.