Bosses at a hugely popular microbar say they will be forced to shut if they are unable to keep their outdoor seating.

Retrospective plans have been submitted for Unit 1, located next to the Royal Military Canal in West Hythe, to continue serving food and drink in the space at the front of the venue.

However, some disgruntled neighbours say their “human rights” have been impacted by noise from the site and want the bid to be rejected, with Hythe Town Council also objecting.

But hundreds of residents and a number of businesses have written in support of Unit 1 keeping the outdoor area, which is particularly popular in the summer months.

Co-owner Kenza Bowman this week told KentOnline that if the retrospective plans are snubbed then the microbar, which she says has never received a noise complaint, would not be able to survive.

“We employ local people, we support local businesses, and all our suppliers are local,” said Ms Bowman.

“It is a community space and it has become such an important meeting place for so many people.

“To be clear, if we lose the outside space the business will shut. We would not be able to survive without it.”

During a Hythe Town Council meeting on Monday, a resident in West Hythe said they were speaking on behalf of several neighbours in the area and explained why they object to the plans.

Mr Bateman moved to the quiet hamlet nine years ago and spoke of the disruption Unit 1 has had on people living nearby.

He said: “Unit 1 has been serving food and drink outside since 2020. This is almost four years of doing this without planning permission.

“Some neighbours experience intrusive noise and disturbance regularly since the outside space has been used which is impacting their health and well-being.

“Every planning decision must consider the human rights of anyone who could be adversely affected by the decision.”

During the Covid pandemic, Unit 1 was able to use the outside area to serve food and drink to assist with social distancing restrictions.

Since then, the microbar, which serves locally-brewed beers, has continued to utilise the space.

The town council has now objected to the retrospective plans based on the “size of the outdoor seating area and the lack of parking”.

Councillors believed the outside area was meant to be where customers could leave their cars.

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

She added: “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!”

There is also a pay-and-display car park on the other side of the canal.

Ms Bowman 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.

Ms Bowman, who lives in Hythe, says they have received “so much support from customers”.

“99% of people want us to stay open. The minority are trying to speak on behalf of everybody,” she added.

“It's not a traditional pub. Even though we serve alcohol we get more hot chocolate and coffee orders.

“It's really not a rowdy place. We are not open late and this will never change.”

Within the planning documents, hundreds of comments have been submitted in support of the business.

Stephen Buck commented: “As a local resident I fully support the planning application as the seating area in question is used by myself and my family when weather permits, especially during the summer months.

“Refusal to grant planning permission would be a great loss to the local community and the general public and it would be sorely missed if this valuable facility was removed.”

Kathy Crowley added: “We cannot lose Unit 1. It is the most marvellous place for people and dogs.

“My whole family use it often.”

The directors of the Hop Fuzz brewery, based about 50 yards behind the bar, say 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 add: “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.”

They say the bar is known for being a laid-back destination that does not attract large groups or binge drinkers – and that closing the outside area would be “incredibly cruel and misjudged”.

However, Stephen Davis had multiple reasons for objecting to the plans.

He commented: “Outside noise and antisocial behaviour has become an issue since Covid.

“As more alcohol is consumed the noise level increases.”

The outside lighting, antisocial behaviour, car parking issues, and a negative effect on wildlife along the canal were a number of other issues raised by Mr Davis.

But Ms Bowman believes they have “always been respectful” to neighbours.

She added: “Whenever we have ever had an issue raised informally to us we have dealt with it immediately.

“We have put up extra fencing between us and the immediate neighbour. We have done all we can.

“This decision will affect not only our staff but also the local businesses that we support.”

A decision on the application is set to be made by Folkestone & Hythe District Council by April 19.

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.”