THE owner of a Maldon venue which was refused permission to allow it to operate an al fresco restaurant says they are “extremely disappointed” at the decision.

Luigi's Alfresco restaurant has operated at The Limes Guest House in Market Hill since 2018, dishing up pizza and pasta dishes to guests.

During the pandemic the business started using a patio area at the site to offer socially distanced dining.

In May retrospective plans for a change of use to allow the restaurant to operate were submitted, but Maldon District Council rejected the plans.

In response, the venue released a statement saying a new application is being prepared.

It said: “We were extremely disappointed with Maldon District Council's decision to refuse our application, however we do have ongoing discussions with the council planning officers and we have been asked to provide a noise assessment survey report, which has already been instructed and will be carried out shortly.

“A new application has already been prepared and is ready for resubmission with the resulting survey report.

“Maldon District Council listed buildings officer and the parish council gave their recommendation for approval in principle for the previous application and the decision to refuse the application appears to have been made purely on the lack of a noise assessment survey. We are therefore confident of a positive outcome following the submission of the noise assessment report.”

The application had been refused due to concerns over noise.

But the owners defended the business, adding: “Any business located within a mixed residential area faces challenges in terms of having people in and around their premises during trading times and we continue to make every effort to minimise and avoid any disruption to our neighbours.

“Luigi's has successfully operated on this site since May 2018 and during some of the most challenging times in recent history for the hospitality sector.

"We confirm that despite the refusal of our planning application, Luigi's will remain open and trading as usual.”

A planning application to extend an existing conservatory linked to the restaurant at the rear of the property was approved by council planning officers last week.