CUSTOMERS at a village pub will have to wait to find out the outcome of their local’s quest for a beer garden, after a decision was put on hold so a site visit can take place.

Bosses at The Howwood Inn want planning permission for an outdoor terrace at the side of the George Street venue.

The site fronts the road to the north-west and is bound by a convenience store to the north-east and residential properties to the south-east and south-west.

The nine-metre-long terrace would extend almost three metres from the side elevation.

Renfrewshire Council’s planning department recommended that it be given the green light, as long as it is not in use after 9pm.

However, at a meeting this week, councillors called for a site visit to be held before any final decision is made.

Councillor Chris Gilmour, who represents Howwood, said: “I feel it would be beneficial for members to actually go and stand on the ground because there are potentials for accidents on that road and we just need to assess if there are any mitigating circumstances.”

Councillor Andy Doig, whose ward also covers the village, said the area in which the pub is situated is a traffic “hotspot.”

He added: “I’d like to second the call for a site visit on the basis of George Street and the Main Street in Howwood intersect and it’s really a hotspot for traffic access because you’ve got the only village store in the community immediately next to The Howwood Inn.

“They have a bay outside which is meant to be just drop-off for people going into get their bread and milk but it’s constantly used 24/7 by people who park cars overnight.

“That’s an issue for them, so what I’m saying is traffic and access at this particular point, it’s a real hotspot and I do think a site visit would be helpful for the other members who don’t know the area as well.”