Stenhousemuir hotel gets green light to create beer garden

The new outdoor drinking area, which will be to the rear of the hotel, will have glazed screens to separate it from the nearby car park.

Planning officers say in their report that the change will enhance the area and "support the vitality and viability of the centre".

It will also help the hotel and Stenhousemuir town centre cope with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The hotel is unusual in that it sits on a triangular piece of land, so all of its sides are public-facing.

One objection was received from a neighbour worried about noise, saying that it was already a problem when the hotel's fire exit was left open.

Planners say this could be overcome by limiting the use of the site later in the evening which would be controlled by licensing.