A POPULAR pub has reopened to drinkers — but one of the first tasks facing its new owners is clearing up a row over a smoking shelter.

The pub, Southfields in Green Lane, Great Lever, has fallen foul of its neighbours, who claim the new shelter is too close to their homes.

They are also angry that the shelter has already been built, even though the pub is only now applying for planning permission.

Bolton Council’s planning committee was told that a paved terrace and giant “jumbrella” to shelter smokers from the weather have appeared next to Anthony Critchley’s house in Green Lane.

Mr Critchley told the committee the pub had built the terrace without planning permission and customers were keeping him awake at night.

He said: “The proximity of the jumbrella is 15 metres from my back garden and we have already had considerable problems from people frequenting this establishment. This development is already in place.”

Three residents had objected to the plans.

The seating and jumbrella do not need planning permission, but the terrace does.

Planning officers had said the plans should be approved because the pub was being forced into the situation by the smoking ban.

But councillors said they wanted to visit the site before they made a decision.

Cllr David Wilkinson added: “I’ll be interested to hear why we have been sitting here with a planning application when it has already been built.”