Yates's gets the go-ahead

A PLANNING inspector has overturned Torbay Council's decision to refuse planning permission for the Yates's Wine Lodge chain to open a £1.5m super-pub on the top two floors of Torquay's Winter Garden shopping complex.

Inspector Colin Ball said that the plan put forward by Yates's and site owners Scottish Widows would attract more peopleto the complex and utilise space which was under-used or unlet.

Torbay magistrates also refused Yates's licensing application for the site earlier this year. An appeal is due to be heard at Exeter Crown Court in October.