Owners of a hugely popular microbar are breathing a sigh of relief after councillors voted in favour of plans to keep their outdoor seating area.

Retrospective proposals were submitted by owners of Unit 1, located next to the Royal Military Canal in West Hythe, to continue serving food and drink in a space at the front of the venue.

But disgruntled neighbours argued their human rights were impacted by noise from the site and called for the bid to be rejected.

However, at a Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) planning meeting last night, councillors voted unanimously in favour of the plans – leaving owners and staff members “ecstatic”.

Co-owners Kenza Bowman and Julie Giles thanked customers for their “incredible support” following the decision.

“It's such a relief for the staff as they were all worried about the future if this wasn't approved. All of their jobs are safe now,” said Ms Bowman.

“We need the outside space as the capacity to meet customer demand and if we didn't have these customers we would not have the income to pay our bills.

“Everyone can now look forward to the summer and relax. The future is exciting.”

Hundreds of residents and a number of businesses wrote in support of the outdoor area, which is particularly popular in the summer months.

However, not everyone was in agreement, and West Hythe resident David Bateman attended the meeting to voice his concerns about the proposal.

He moved to the quiet hamlet nine years ago and spoke on behalf of neighbours about the disruption the business has had on people living nearby.

“We experience an increase in noise pollution from Unit 1’s outside space,” he said.

“People have the right to the peaceful enjoyment of their home and garden.

“Unit 1 is the right facility but in the wrong location due to its proximity to neighbouring properties.

In March, Hythe Town Council also objected to the plans based on the “size of the outdoor seating area and the lack of parking”.

But Ms Bowman said at the time how some of the points on parking concerns discussed at the meeting were “not factually correct”.

She previously stated: “They said the increase in the outside seating resulted in a loss of parking, but there have never been bays at the front of the unit.

“Parking has never been down to us.

“The majority of our customers walk or cycle. So parking issues are not really a big thing – it's frustrating.”

Ms Bowman, who lives in Hythe, is one of four owners at Unit 1 who have run the site since November 2019.

The venue is currently open till 7pm on weekdays and 9pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The outdoor area can fit up to 80 people.

Earlier this year, the directors of the Hop Fuzz brewery, based about 50 yards behind the bar, said sales of their beers at Unit 1 make up a considerable amount of their monthly turnover – and a decrease in the number of pints sold would be “devastating”.

They added: “The outside area, especially in the summer months, acts as a huge asset, allowing more seating and areas for families and friends to meet.

“Losing that space will only have a detrimental effect on multiple businesses.”

Ms Bowman believes Unit 1 is a key asset in West Hythe and is confident the right decision was made by FHDC.

“We are relieved, ecstatic and humbled,” she added last night.

“We were nervous as there are no guarantees and you never know which way it was going to go.

“Unit 1 community hub, especially in West Hythe where there are not a lot of facilities. You are guaranteed to feel safe with your family here.

“The support we have had from everyone has been incredible.”

During the pandemic, Unit 1 supported NHS and school staff by offering free coffee.

Ms Bowman, who also works for the NHS, said at the time that she “saw offers from bigger companies and I thought that we should do something too”.

KentOnline recently described the microbar as a “hidden gem” at the end of a glorious canalside walk.

Reporter Rhys Griffiths said: “Unit 1 really is a cracking little place, serving up great fresh menus and showcasing some of the best beers our brewers are creating in this corner of the county.”