Friday December 13th 2024
Durty Brewing in Innerleithen.
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
A cycle-friendly Innerleithen brewery’s hopes of tapping into longer opening hours have been dashed.
Durty Brewing Tap Room sells a variety of craft ales at 4 Traquair Road in Innerleithen.
Inspired by the trails and landscape of the Scottish Borders, the brewery was founded by Paul McGreal and Gordon Donald.
Its ‘life-affirming beers’ include ‘Angry Sheep’, ‘Escape Route’, ‘Repeat Offender’. ‘Helter Skelter’ and ‘End of the World’.
Last year a provisional premises licence was granted by Scottish Borders Licensing Board for a new taproom to showcase beers produced on site.
The brewery recently submitted a planning bid to SBC to extend the opening hours of an outside bar area to align with those of the internal taproom – from 10am to 10pm, in place of the existing closing time of 7pm, which the applicants say puts the business at a “commercial disadvantage”.
The bid had received the support of both local councillors and tourism organisations.
But the application has been refused after two neighbours raised objections over potential for noise and disturbance, one stating: “The original planning documentation submitted by Durty Brewing anticipated a maximum of around 20 visitors at any given time.
“However, it has since come to light that the premises are licensed for a total of 110 people, including 45 in the bar area and 50 in the outdoor seating area.
“This stark increase in capacity is in no way reflective of the low-impact business originally presented and creates a significantly higher risk of disturbance, particularly during the evening hours when residents are entitled to quiet enjoyment of their homes.”
A report refusing the application, from SBC lead planning officer Carlos Clarke, states: “I am unable to conclude that extending the use of the seating area to 10pm on all operating days would comply with planning policies designed to protect neighbouring amenity and that such impacts should be overridden by the needs of the business.”
A submission with the application stated: “The outdoor spaces at our premises are used as an off-street bike parking facility along with visitor seating.
“Our taproom is particularly popular with cycling visitors because it provides a space where they can safely keep an eye on their expensive bikes while enjoying some locally brewed refreshments.
“The fact that we can offer that off-street parking is a significant bonus for the community because it means that bikes are not being left propped up on the pavements of the town as happens with other establishments.
“It can be very difficult on the occasions when we have a nice evening and customers are enjoying the benefit of external seating to make the best of the weather and we then have to move them on or inside at 7pm.
“This is particularly disappointing when they can simply go next door, literally across the wall, and sit outside the neighbouring licensed premises which does not have any such restriction on time outside. In fact, to the best of our knowledge, we are the only premises in the town that is subject to such a curfew.
“The area is attractive, presentable, and well-maintained and is a positive addition to the facilities in Innerleithen.
“We wish to be able to play a role in supporting community initiatives such as the Innerleithen Music Festival and the Innerleithen Music Sessions.
“This would allow it to have business parity with the Traquair Arms next door where its customers are able to enjoy its facilities until 10pm. It is vital in a very small community like Innerleithen that our businesses are able to compete on a level playing field.”
In supporting statements, Tweeddale East councillors Julie Pirone and Robin Tatler both offered their support for the bid, saying that the taproom has been an “outstanding” addition to the area since opening in November last year.
Further support was offered from Go Tweed Valley and the Tweed Valley Tourism BID.
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