The fightback has begun after a pub was told to remove a large ‘teepee’ from its beer garden.

Earlier this week, the Local Democracy Services reported on a planning decision affecting The Eagle and Child, in Ramsbottom, which was crowned UK ‘Pub of the Year’ in 2017.

Bury Council rejected a retrospective planning application for permanent retention of a circular tented ‘teepee’, outside bar, pergola and toilet block.

The structures were erected during Covid pandemic and have been in operation ever since.

The timber frame and UPVC teepee seats up to 72 people and is described by owners Daniel Thwaites as an ‘essential part of the business’.

Neighbours’ objections included noise, that the teepee is an ‘eyesore’ and that it ‘interrupts views across the valley to Holcombe Hill’.

Others complained of waste thrown into rear gardens from the beer garden.

The planning officer report concluded the proposal ‘would have a serious and detrimental impact on visual and residential amenity’.

Planners at Bury Council said the application was refused earlier this month mainly on noise and traffic issues, plus design and appearance.

Now Ramsbottom councillor Gareth Staples-Jones has called for compromise after being ‘very disappointed’ by the decision.

He said: “As ward councillors, we were not made aware of this decision.

“If residents have concerns or issues relating to the teepee, it would have been helpful to have known prior or at the time of the issue arising so

ward councillors or council officers could approach the brewery and pub to find a middle ground and a way to resolve.

“Waiting until a retrospective planning application to hammer in nails feels wrong. “I will be working with our enforcement team to ensure we’re doing our best to promote places like Eagle & Child whilst also listening to residents’ concerns.

“Rammy is an attractive destination to live, eat, relax and be part of a wonderful community – we need to grow that by working with businesses and the community.” Earlier this week a spokesman for Daniel Thwaites said that following the decision ‘we are currently reviewing our options and are aiming to meet with Bury’s planning team to find a solution that works for all parties’.

Those commenting on the the original story had mixed views on the need for planning enforcement action on the teepee.

MBrooks, said: “Even without the teepee, in the summer months there’d be loads of people in the beer garden anyway, so it makes no difference.

“They’ve already stopped live music, and after 10pm you need to leave the teepee and go back inside the pub, so there’s little else you can do. “The teepee helped the Eagle &Child survive a challenging market.”

Landlord 101, said ‘the solution is to take it down. It looks totally out of character’ while Happydays17 said ‘it’s a great venue and only overlooked by a car park across the road’.