A HEREFORDSHIRE pub has started work to double the size of its beer garden and add extra covered seating.

The plan for the Three Horseshoes Inn at Little Cowarne, between Bromyard and Hereford, is “in response to the post-pandemic environment”, it told Herefordshire Council when it applied for planning permission.

It will see a triangular-shaped section of a neighbouring field added to the existing beer garden, and a timber-framed, covered seating area installed to replace a temporary marquee currently in use.

The new “essentially open-sided” structure will have a tiled roof rising to 4.6m (15 feet), and will provide additional covered seating, “which is essential in the post-pandemic environment”, the application said.

RELATED NEWS:

Supporting the proposal, Herefordshire Council’s planning officer Ollie Jones said it “relates to the site's established use as a public house and would provide community benefits in the social and economic spheres through the enhancement of a vital community asset in this rural settlement”.

There were “no identified landscape or amenity issues”, nor any objections from highways officials, he said.

Pencombe Group Parish Council earlier agreed that the development “would provide enhanced facilities for the community and should be supported”. No objections were lodged.

OTHER NEWS:

The Three Horseshoes was owned by the Abell family in 1860, its website says, and then returned to the family's ownership in 2020.

It is recommended by the Good Pub Guide, and the pub says it makes the most of local suppliers.

Meat comes from Legges of Bromyard and beer from Wye Valley Brewery, perry from Oliver's, gin from Chase Distillery and cider from Celtic Marches, while milk comes from the family's organic dairy farm.