A BEER garden to the rear of a Haddington pub has been given the go-ahead, despite concerns about noise, passive smoking and fire risks.

Plans for the change at the rear of the Tyneside Tavern were approved by East Lothian Council’s planning department.

Planners had to weigh up the scheme against four letters of objection.

According to the planning officer’s report, concerns focused on the idea that the beer garden would “generate harmful noise, disturbance and nuisance which will cause harm to the amenity of the neighbouring residential properties”.

A further concern noted: “With smoking being allowed outside, there is added health concern of passive smoke and also the danger of cigarettes being discarded over the adjoining walls, leading to the risk of fire in nearby sheds or the dry vegetation growing on the walls.”

However, the planning officer noted that anti-social behaviour was “outwith the control of the applicant as individuals are accountable for their own behaviour”.

The planning officer’s report on the application continued: “The issue of control and management of anti-social behaviour is a matter for the police to address in partnership with other agencies.”

The plans for the Poldrate business were submitted to the local authority last November and outlined that the beer garden would be open from 11am to 7.30pm each day, with a capacity for 35 people.

East Lothian Council has attached four conditions to the planning approval, limiting the use of the beer garden to between 11am and 8pm throughout the week.

Similarly, public entertainment, amplified music, amplified vocals and live music are not allowed to be played in the beer garden.