A PUB in a village near Ledbury is facing opposition over its plans to build an extension, smoking area and install "eating pods".

The Crown Inn in Walwyn Road, Colwall, asked Herefordshire Council if it could make the changes, as well as retain two shipping containers used for storage.

The bid, revealed in a planning application to Herefordshire Council, showed the "eating pods", which would provide shelter to customers eating outside, would be installed near a boundary hedge.

But with work proposed to that hedge, neighbours raised objections to the scheme, fearing a loss of privacy and an rise in noise from the pub.

Linda O'Loughlin said in her objection that the proposed pods would be immediately in front of, and in close proximity, to her house in Crescent Road, behind the pub.

She said the pods would be "looking down" into her house and small front garden, leading to a "total loss of privacy, particularly on summer evening when the pub will be in full swing".

"In addition to the loss of privacy and overlooking issue, there will be the added nuisance of noise from the external patios," she said.

Echoing Ms O'Loughlin's comments, Professor Nicholas Barns added that few details had been given about the pub's pods, so he found it "difficult to evaluate the what the fill impact of their presence may be".

Colwall Parish Council also objected, saying the proposed design and siting of the addition add-ons is "relatively poor" from a materials, design and siting point of view, with the extension's walls set to match the pub's existing render.

It added there was the potential the scheme could "adversely affect" the street scene of Walwyn Road.

Comments on the application are still be accepted.