Pub giant Wetherspoon has scrapped plans for a rooftop beer garden.

The chain’s bosses applied to Copeland council for planning permission for the rooftop garden at The Bransty Arch pub, in Whitehaven, last month – however they have quickly changed their minds.

A spokesman says the firm plans to withdraw its planning application – including a new customer staircase and disabled lift – this week.

It may instead pursue plans for a ground floor beer garden adjacent to the pub.

Brian O’Kane, borough and town councillor for the Bransty ward, has mixed reactions to the plans.

He said: “In some respect I would hope any new development is good for the town, and business, but it depends what the plans look like.

“Any development in Whitehaven is positive and hopefully it will be in taste with what people hope to see. It will be an improvement to a derelict area of the town.”

The chain is trying to increase its presence in west Cumbria. Two months ago, it launched a third attempt to create a beer garden at its Workington premises, The Henry Bessemer.

The first was lodged last year for a garden and smoking area to the right of the building but was later withdrawn.

In April this year, the company unveiled a controversial new scheme which would have seen the first floor of the New Oxford Street premises, which used to be a nightclub, turned into an al-fresco space for 70 people.

Weeks later, the company shelved these plans and went back to the drawing board.

A planning application was then lodged in July to turn a storage area behind the pub into a beer garden.

This application is still under consideration by Allerdale council.

The previous applications attracted some opposition. Allerdale councillor Adrian Davis-Johnston had concerns over the rooftop idea, mainly regarding the noise impact for nearby residents as well as access for emergency and non-emergency vehicles.

Workington Town Council also objected to the rooftop garden, but has lodged no objections against the latest scheme.

But Richard Cain, environmental protection officer, said: “Environmental Health have concerns in relation to noise from the beer garden.”

He’s asked for a detailed noise impact assessment to be approved by the council before the development takes place.

The £1.3 million Bransty Arch opened its doors in 2003 and was much welcomed by people living in the town. It’s named after one of the town’s best known landmarks and the company was praised for helping tidy up a derelict part of the town.