A PUB’s plans to extend its beer garden has caused controversy, with resident expressing concerns over ongoing alcohol-fuelled issues.

The Poplars on Cotswold Road in Longford has submitted plans to extend its existing beer garden, which pub owner Trust Inns Ltd say will ‘improve the commercial viability of the existing public house and ensure it is a sustainable business’ and ‘form a more secure area for families to use the beer garden’.

A new 1.1m high railings would be installed around the beer garden, which would be extended towards the Chiltern Road end of the pub.

But residents of Cotswold Road and Chiltern Road have written formal objections to Warrington Borough Council’s planning department over the proposals, which they say will heighten existing problems with the pub.

An anonymous Cotswold Road resident cited noise, late-night music, drunken behaviour and fighting in their objection.

They said: “This pub has been a bug bare to all who live in the neighbourhood for years and we will not stand for any so-called improvements to this horrible pub.

“The fact that the pub is run like a town centre pub and has no regard for its neighbours is the fact we are getting together and will fight to get this place close permanently.

“This will go further as I am penning a letter to my local MP and do all we can to see the back of this dreadful public house.”

An anonymous Chiltern Road resident added: “We object to this application due to the disturbances that arise when people are drinking outside at the moment not to mention cars leaving the car park at speed, which is an accident waiting to happen.

“To extend this so-called beer garden can only lead to more alcohol-fuelled disturbances.”

But licensee Kim Chadwick said that these concerns were unfounded.

She said: "We're to do our best to make this a community pub - it's a happy environment, there is no fighting and we stick to closing times.

"Anyone with concerns should know that I'm not unapproachable."

A public consultation on the plans is ongoing and will run until July 7.