A pergola at a Thurston pub, which was the centre of a now-withdrawn appeal after plans for a controversial smoking shelter were refused, could become a storage area as a fresh application has been submitted.

Greene King applied for Mid Suffolk District Council permission to use the already-constructed pergola at The Victoria, in Norton Road, as a partially-enclose smoking shelter in February this year.

This was refused after it was deemed to cause an "unacceptable disturbance and nuisance" to neighbours and the applicant lodged an appeal, but withdrew this earlier this month. 

Now, Greene King has submitted a fresh application to retain the structure and use it for storage.

In a statement to Mid Suffolk District Council, the applicant said the pergola would be a dry area to house recyclable waste and logs. 

They said smokers would be directed to a patio at the back of the pub which is further away from neighbouring homes and is "well-screened". 

Greene King added that the door with access to the pergola area can be locked shut so there would be no customer access to the area.