Garboldisham Fox Inn wins approval from Breckland Council for marquee and pergola plans

A community pub in a village between Diss and Thetford has won approval for its marquee and pergola plans.

Garboldisham Fox Inn has been granted permission by Breckland Council to retain its existing eight metre by four metre marquee in the lower pub garden and to construct an eight metre by four metre oak pergola.

A design and access statement submitted to planners said the marquee provided a sheltered outdoor seating area from spring to autumn and was also used for events including birthday parties, christenings and beer festivals.

The statement added: “We would also like to construct a new oak pergola on the upper level of the garden to replace the old marquee which is old and no longer fit for purpose. We intend to use this new structure for sheltered outdoor seating as well as a stage for music events held throughout the summer months.

“It is hoped the new oak structure in the garden will enhance the overall appearance of the pub garden without impacting on the character of the listed building.”

A report by planners said the pergola was considered to be ‘attractive’ and ‘sensitively-sited’, while the marquee was screened to the roadside which limited views from outside the pub.

The Fox Inn is a community pub off the A1066 Thetford/Diss road which was bought by the Garboldisham Fox Community Interest Company in 2016 after the pub had been closed for 10 years.

The mid-18th century property has been grade II listed since 1984.