Councillors have been warned they must not allow Minehead’s cherished Blenheim Gardens café to become a ‘drinking den’ merely in the interests of getting the building restored.

MP Ian Liddell-Grainger says steps must be taken by planners not merely to safeguard the building’s historic character but to ensure that the gardens remain a place for quiet enjoyment.

The dilapidated building has been leased to Avenue bar owner William Wynn who has now lodged plans for extensive refurbishment and additions.

Crucially, however, the proposals also include surrounding the building with a gated fence, which would enable it to remain open when the gardens are closed at night.

But Mr Liddell-Grainger, MP for Bridgwater and West Somerset says this is totally unacceptable.

“If the authorities also grant an alcohol licence then clearly the café is destined to become a night-time drinking den, and the implications of that are horrendous,” he said.

“There will inevitably be noise and disturbance affecting properties in Blenheim Road and the potential for vandalism and damage in completely unlit gardens will be huge.

“It seems to me that planners will be walking into a trap if they agree to the fence and gate being installed because they will then be ceding all control over the operation of the café once the gardens are closed.

“The remoter planning decision-taking has become with various changes in local government over the years the less the special character and features of Minehead appear to have been taken into account.

“But this is where we just draw a line in the sand: no alcohol licence, and no trading when the gardens are closed.”