Proposals to expand the outdoor seating area at The Zetland Arms in Kingsdown have received 32 letters of objection.

The pub, in Wellington Parade, is appealing for permission from Dover District Council to double its number of benches from six to 12.

The district council granted the licence for the existing seats until November 2017, but this application is seeking an extension to the hours they can be used.

It was supposed to be debated at a planning meeting tonight (Thursday) but has since been dropped.

The application is set to be re-advertised as the proposed location of the benches now falls into a conservation area.

Kingsdown and Ringwould Parish Council has also objected.

People’s concerns range from noise increase to congestion and more disturbance.

Despite the pub being in a conservation area, the planning document has confirmed that the seating is planned outside of it.

Case officer Vic Hester said in a report: “The increased area of land to accommodate the additional benches is approximately 10 sq metres.

“This area would be roped off with bins provided for customers.

“At a recent visit, there was a bin close to the existing seating area.

“In view of the limited expansion of area and with no permanent physical change to the beach, I do not consider that the proposal would result in harm to the existing character and appearance of the area.”

Nicolaas Blezard-Mul said in her objection: “Too many cars parked in front of the Zetland often block the public footpath and the access to the public boat ramp.

“I fear that more pub tables will not only increase the traffic over our roads – more large delivery lorries which damage our road the most.”

Norah Perkins said: “As a long-time visitor to the Kingsdown beach, a recent resident of South Road, and as an ongoing happy customer of the Zetland Arms, I object to the proposed extension of the pub seating area on the shingle beach.

“A bustling local business is a wonderful thing; however, a truly local business must pay more than lip service to the physical environment that is at the very heart of its success.”

There are no letters of support.