CONTROVERSIAL plans to expand a popular Ribble Valley pub have been recommended for refusal when councillors meet this week, following residents’ objections.

Applicant Borton Limited submitted plans to the borough council to extend the kitchen at The Freemasons in Vicarage Road, Wiswell, and use two adjacent houses for customers to let.

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The proposed plan would see number four and six Vicarage Fold used for customer accommodation.

Wiswell Parish Council strongly objected to the proposed plans on more than 12 separate issues.

In a letter to the borough council, a parish council spokesman said: “There are concerns that as residents move out of the immediate vicinity due to their loss of residential amenity.

“Any further expansion of the business in its current location will continue to cause conflict with nearby residents due to its very restricted site.

“The proposals will result in an increase in overlooking and noise disturbance for neighbours and a loss of their residential amenity.

“It is noted that residents of Chapel Fold have not been consulted on this application even though they face the rear of The Freemasons and are exposed to the noise and smell of the kitchen operation.”

The council received 14 letters of objection from residents with reasons including parking congestion and highway safety.

One objector, who wrote a letter to the council, said the pub should be conserved as a “valued public drinking house”, and there isn’t any access or facilities for disabled people.

The 19th-century pub currently has a four-star rating for hygiene, after it was graded one by the Food Standards Agency inspectors last year.

In a planning document a spokesman for the applicant said: “The enhancement of these two cottages would be prominent from the public realm, while the harm from the kitchen extension would be appreciated only from a limited number of private locations.

“The proposed extension will increase the size of the restaurant kitchen to provide better workspace for food preparation, the cooking area will remain as existing.

“As a result, It is considered that ‘on balance’ the proposed development would enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area.”

The decision will be made at the Ribble Valley Council Planning and Development Committee meeting on Thursday at 6.30pm in the borough council’s chambers in Clitheroe.

Chef patron Steve Smith was unavailable to comment yesterday.