Amended plans have been submitted to retain a new pergola outside Julian Dunkerton’s hotel and restaurant in Cheltenham. The structure replaces several marquees and has been the subject of ongoing debate for the past six years.
Cheltenham Civic Society criticised the recently erected metal-framed pergola, stating last month that it was significantly different from the version approved by the borough council in March 2022. This prompted the council to review the work carried out outside the premises at No 131 Promenade.
While the outcome of the review has not yet been disclosed, Mr Dunkerton’s company, Lucky Onion LLP, has applied for fresh planning permission in order to keep one completed pergola and another currently under construction, expected to finish in October. The site is located between 129 and 133 Promenade.
Planning agent Simon Firkins described the changes as “minor” in the new application. He detailed adjustments such as moving the front elevation away from the boundary, bringing the rear elevation slightly closer to the building, and increasing the structure’s depth by approximately 800mm outside No 133 and 200mm outside Nos 129–131.
Other modifications include setting in the rear part of the southern end by about 500mm and extending the front part by roughly 1200mm. These changes remove the previously approved ‘kink’ at the southern end, creating a cleaner elevation and opening up more of the front corner of No 133.
The pergola design continues to follow the natural slope of the land, stepping down from south to north without altering existing levels. This introduces additional small steps along the ridge, which help to break up the ridge line and elevation. The overall height of each section remains similar to the approved plans.
Mr Firkins emphasised the similarities between the approved and revised designs, suggesting it is unnecessary to revisit the detailed considerations from the council’s earlier decision. He added that to a casual or reasonable observer, the difference between the approved and proposed developments is minimal.
This application is the latest development in the long-running controversy over the marquees and outdoor structures at No 131. In 2022, the civic society labelled the 16 white marquees as “tatty tents” and noted that they obstructed views of three nearby grade II* listed buildings.
The marquees were originally installed in October 2020 to support outdoor dining during the coronavirus pandemic, benefiting from relaxed council regulations on temporary structures at that time. However, in September 2022, the borough council tightened these rules, requiring businesses to apply for planning permission to retain such structures and demonstrate a strong justification for their continued use.