THE owners of a pub in Upton-upon-Severn will be able to create a new smoking and drinking area outside in time for the national smoking restrictions in public places being introduced this summer.

Punch Taverns has been given permission by Malvern Hills District Council to remove a lean-to and provide a new timber-framed pergola at the back of the grade-II listed Talbot Head Hotel, in High Street. The application also includes installing a new kitchen extractor system, upgrading a terraced area, replacing fencing around the beer garden and putting in gates to a bin store area.

The southern area development committee members were told the proposals would be an improvement on the existing arrangements.

Punch Taverns said it planned to improve facilities for customers and provide a covered, outside smoking and drinking area, which will have lights and wall-mounted infra-red heaters under the canopy.

Planning officer Gillian McDermott told the committee: "The area to be covered by the pergola is significantly smaller than the previous scheme, reducing any likely amenity issues for neighbouring residents.

"All the elements are confined to the rear of the building, are appropriate to the site and are relatively small in scale."