Lincoln pub loses appeal to keep unauthorised beer garden

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 09:40 · Archive

Lincoln's Duke William pub has lost its planning appeal for a 36-person beer garden created without permission in Bailgate.

The Duke William pub in Lincoln's Bailgate has lost its planning appeal for a 36-person outdoor seating area created without permission. Construction began in November 2025 after the pub bought a neighbouring property, but the City of Lincoln Council served a stop notice earlier this year. Planners have now rejected the retrospective application.

The decision cited increased noise, loss of privacy for neighbouring residents, and impact on the Grade II listed building, which dates to the 17th century. Nearby resident Imogen Wilde said the expansion had made spending time in her garden 'extremely unpleasant', despite being prepared to tolerate normal pub noise levels. She told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: 'What was once a lovely, peaceful and quiet place to spend time in our own garden has changed considerably.'

The Ever So Sensible Group, which operates the venue, strongly disagreed with the decision. A spokesperson said the proposal would have 'significantly improved neighbouring amenity' and that acoustic modelling predicted noise levels in neighbouring gardens would be 'lower than they are at present, despite the increase in customer numbers' when screening was in place. The pub said the enforcement notice is being appealed and it is reviewing the planning decision with its advisers.

How it is being reported

• Pub loses bid to keep 'intrusive' beer gardenThe Duke William started work on the outdoor area last year, but was served with a stop notice.BBC Lincolnshire · 5 Nov, 08:54
• Lincoln pub loses bid to keep 'intrusive' beer gardenResidents say they couldn't spend time in their own gardens, but the Duke William says it strongly disagrees with the decisionLincolnshire Live · 4 Nov, 16:01

In this story: Duke William · Lincoln · Ever So Sensible Group · City of Lincoln Council · Imogen Wilde

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