BOSSES at The Courthouse in Knutsford are looking to seek council approval for a permanent structure and canopy over a rooftop garden.

The owners were informed by Cheshire East Council that no permission had been obtained for the garden, which the authority said was an unauthorised development.

The council said it had deferred a decision on whether to take enforcement action over the garden, and had given The Courthouse owners the chance to apply for planning permission.

The rooftop garden bar was unveiled in August after an exclusive launch event.

The new area of The Courthouse – formerly Knutsford Crown Court – was a sun terrace by day, serving seasonal small dishes and afternoon tea, and a cocktail bar by night.

Councillor Ainsley Arnold, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for housing, planning and regeneration, said: “Our enforcement team became aware that a terrace bar and dining area was created at this property, which received planning permission for a licensed restaurant in January 2017.

“However, no planning permission – nor listed building consent – was in place for the additional outside terrace bar and dining area.

“The owners were informed of this, and we are aware that they are taking steps to remove the unauthorised development as a direct result of intervention by the council’s enforcement team.

“The owners have been given the opportunity to apply for planning permission and listed building consent, and any application would follow the normal planning process.

“We can confirm that the decision whether or not to take enforcement action has been deferred. To date, the owners have been co-operating and have indicated they may submit an application for an alternative scheme.”

Dominic Heywood, co-founder of Flat Cap Hotels said: “The Rooftop Garden was a temporary structure and a pop-up for the summer months and a fantastic asset.

“The Courthouse team have been actively working alongside Heritage England and Cheshire East Council throughout the ongoing development of The Courthouse.

“The plan has always been to put an application in for a permanent structure and canopy over the space to make sure it was not weather dependant - this is in the design phase and will be inputted imminently.”