A TOWN centre wine bar in Basingstoke has been given the go-ahead to site tables and chairs on the pavement to the front and rear of the premises.

An application for planning permission for tables, enclosed by a decorative wrought-iron barrier with plant pots, outside the Rhu Bar in London Street was approved by the council's development control committee.

There will be two rows of tables and chairs to the front and one row to the rear.

The Rhu bar was recently licenced to open until 2am - but the outside tables and chairs will only be able to be used up to 11pm.

The committee received five letters of objection from local residents claiming that allowing the tables and chairs would detract from the character of the Top of the Town conservation area and obstruct people on the street.

Hampshire County Council, as the local highway authority, recommended that the application should be refused on the grounds that the Rhu bar had, in the past, persistently ignored conditions on the times that chairs and tables could be placed on the pavement when given temporary permission.

Cllr Derick Mirfin questioned whether there would be enough room in the middle of the street, as the Rhu bar's seats would be directly opposite the tables and chairs outside Yates's wine lodge.

He said: "The site is on a very busy corner. We have to bear in mind the public convenience as well as the allure and charm of boulevard drinking."

But recommending approval, planning officers pointed out that there would still be a 14-feet gap down the centre of the street for vehicles to pass, if necessary.

In their report to the committee, the officers added: "In terms of policy, the outside seating - if appropriately designed and controlled - would enhance and contribute to the vitality and viability of the conservation area within the town centre."

The committee ruled that the wine bar be given all-year-round permission for the barriers and seating, but that the barriers should fit into holes in the pavement and be removable.

They also imposed a condition that planning permission be granted for a trial period of two years and then reviewed.