Opinion is split over a village pub's bid to open an outside bar in its new "Mediterranean-style" garden.

The eye-catching terraces at the Old Coach and Horses in Harbledown, near Canterbury, have proved a hit since landlord Eddie Sargeant invested £50,000 in the renovations.

But the gastropub's increased popularity has not been welcomed by all, with some neighbours complaining of rowdy drinkers keeping them up at night.

Complaints have emerged in an application for a new alcohol licence incorporating the pub's outside areas.

But Mr Sargeant, 53, says a select few in opposition are choosing to exaggerate the negative aspects of the pub's success.

"Yes, it's a bit louder than it was, but that's because it's busier than it was," he said. "It's become a hub for the village.

"The people complaining want a quiet country pub, but quiet country pubs don't exist anymore because they fold.

"The garden was a mess before and now we've made it into something really impressive. Customers are lapping it up and the response has been fantastic."

"The rents are too high, the rates are too high and the beer's too expensive.

"You have to make something of your country pub, and that's what we're doing. I'd say it's now one of the top gastropubs in the area.

"The garden was a mess before and now we've made it into something really impressive. Customers are lapping it up and the response has been fantastic.

"The people objecting are the kind who say 'we want a village pub, but we don't want it to interfere with our daily lives at all', and then when it closes because it has no customers, they complain they don't have a village pub."

The Old Coach and Horses is currently allowed to serve drinks from the inside bar to those seated outside but Mr Sargeant wants to open an outdoor burger shack serving food and drink from May 22.

He says it will relieve pressure on his staff, especially when indoor socialising is allowed once again from May 17.

"It's not going to increase the number of customers I have, but will save my staff having to constantly walk up and down steps with plates and drinks," he said.

"It'll also take the weight off my kitchen staff, because we'll be able to seat an extra 80 covers indoors from May 17."

A number of complaints have been received from villagers, largely about parking and noise concerns.

Ray Sanders wrote: "It is quite apparent the landlord is seeking to use the large village site to attract volume custom from the urban area of Canterbury where it is far more controlled, supervised and restricted and bring it to a largely uncontrolled site. This wholly inappropriate scale will be of severe detriment to the local residents."

While supportive of the pub's alterations, neighbour Stephen Palmer said: "I do not want to have to wear noise-cancelling headphones when in my own garden."

Another objection, signed B.Williams, added: "While we want to be supportive of the current difficulties to run a hospitality business in these times, we are finding it hard to accept the impact that this new business model is having and will have on our everyday, residential lives.

"The outdoor seating has extended to the back garden which we have no fence nor hedging to limit the possible sounds of more punters and keep some right to peace!

"We now sleep in the back room of our house due to the fact the noise was so loud last time at the front of the property."

Others have written in support, including Charlie Entwistle, who wrote: "I can comfortably say that Eddie has the best blended interests of both his business and the village at heart.

"It would be a great shame if he was penalised yet again by people who seem to relish in 'kicking a man when he's down'."

"The improvements he has conducted on the pub since taking over are nothing short of tremendous."

John Hippisley, who has been a punter within the establishment since 1983, added: "Eddie has done his best in bringing in a 'new team' to reinvigorate the pub and turn it back into a gastropub.

"It would be a great shame if he was penalised yet again by people who seem to relish in 'kicking a man when he's down'."

Mr Sargeant hopes to open the al fresco bar from Friday to Sunday, with all garden areas closed at 11pm, and an hour earlier on Sundays.

A decision on the licensing bid will be made by Canterbury councillors today (Tuesday).

Meanwhile, Mr Sargeant is challenging the city council's claims that work carried out to the pub's top garden required planning permission.

The authority informed him he needed to submit a retrospective application for the work, but talks are continuing.

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