A GUIDE is being drawn up which will help councillors decide whether to grant permission for smoking shelters outside pubs in Bolton.

There are fears planning bosses could inadvertently grant "extensions to pubs", following reports of hostelries elsewhere in the country installing TV and sound systems in shelters.

Pubs are clamouring to build the shelters ahead of new rules to be introduced on July which will ban smoking in all enclosed public places.

Several councillors in Bolton have said it is unclear whether decisions should be taken by the planning committee or by the licensing authorities.

The debate arose as the committee approved a 3.7-metre by 8.5-metre shelter at the White Lion in Market Street, Westhoughton.

Officers said the shelter would not impact on the character and appearance of the existing building and the majority of the extension would not be seen from the road.

Cllr Norman Critchley said: "These smoking shelters will be coming more frequently before committee.

"I realise this pub has got a beer garden with it but I think we have to be very careful we're not approving an extension to a pub."

Cllr Critchley said allowing a pub to install a TV or play music outside would disrupt people living nearby.

Cllr Sean Hornby said: "We need some clear policy from licensing with regard to shelters."

The councillors deferred a decision on a proposed shelter at the Rose Hill Tavern, Daisy Hill, so that they could make a site visit. In January they rejected plans for a shelter at the Flying Shuttle, Farnworth.

Many more pubs want to build smoking areas, including the Varsity and The Brass Cat, in Churchgate, Bolton, and the Feathers Inn, Breightmet.

A council spokesman said: "As a result of the committee meeting we are going to prepare a briefing note for members to help in the determination of these applications."

Environmental health and licensing officers may be brought into the consultation process to recommend whether conditions on noise should be attached to planning approval.

Landlords are still waiting for guidelines on what constitutes a smoking shelter, although they have been told at least 50 per cent of the wall space must be open.