Bar's smoking area set for two-year all-clear

A SMOKING area at a bar in West Lothian is set to be granted temporary planning permission for two years.

The Clachan Bar on West Main Street, Whitburn, has already installed a decked area and a new doorway to form a smokers' area, which is not yet in use.

An objection was received from neighbours who said they would be disturbed by noise from inside the bar if its back doors were left open while drinkers stepped outside to light up.

They were also concerned about the decked area turning into a beer garden.

The bar previously had an application for a beer garden refused.

Recommending the plans for approval, Chris Norman, chief development control officer at West Lothian Council, said in his report: "A smoking area will not generate the same level of noise or disturbance as can be expected from a beer garden."

He added that a condition should be attached to the consent, to ensure that the smoking area was not used as a beer garden.