Plans to allow drinkers to use an outdoor seating area at a Ravenfield bar and extend its Sunday opening hours will be decided by councillors next week.

The Longbar, on Braithwell Road, has applied to vary its premises licence so customers can drink outside in a designated seating area and buy alcohol later on Sundays, until 10.30pm instead of the current 5.30pm. The application has been submitted by licence holder David Marshall, who says the bar will continue to follow all existing conditions and introduce extra measures to ensure the outdoor space is safely managed.

In his application, Mr Marshall says the outdoor area would be monitored regularly by staff, covered by CCTV, and used only by seated customers. Access routes would be kept clear, no amplified music would be played outside, and alcohol could not be taken off the premises in open containers. He adds that Challenge 25 rules would apply in the outdoor space and that children would only be allowed there with an adult.

The bar was granted its original licence in November 2024, which did not allow outdoor drinking after receiving objections from residents. A later bid to remove that condition through a minor variation was rejected earlier this year.

Three objections have been submitted to the new application, two from residents and one from Ravenfield Parish Council.

One resident says the proposed outdoor seating area would “encroach into the adjacent parking area” and could put customers at risk because there are no solid barriers separating them from moving vehicles. They argue the change could increase noise and disturbance for nearby homes.

A second resident raises similar concerns, describing the space as too small and too close to parked cars. They say soft fabric barriers offer “no protection” and believe outdoor drinking would be inappropriate in the location.

Ravenfield Parish Council has also objected, citing concerns about road safety, parking pressures and potential noise issues linked to outdoor alcohol consumption.

No responsible authorities, including the police, have objected.

The Licensing Sub-Committee will consider the application at a hearing on December 1. Councillors must decide whether the proposal meets the licensing objectives on crime, safety, public nuisance and protecting children. They can approve the changes, amend them, or refuse the bid entirely. A written decision will be issued within five working days.