PLANNERS have approved the creation of a new live entertainment venue in Watchet, provided it closed no later than 10 pm daily.

Watchet Radio Museum owner Neil Wilson was granted permission for the conversion of the former Anchor Inn function room and skittle alley.

Mr Wilson bought the pub in Anchor Street nearly 10 years ago and turned it into a museum for displays which were previously housed in Tropiquaria, Washford Cross.

He now intends to convert the pub’s function room and skittle alley to a performing arts theatre with a capacity of 120 people, and also to be used as a functions and activities venue.

Mr Wilson said the town lacked a venue suitable for small theatre and local amateur groups productions and rehearsals.

Somerset Council planning officer Briony Waterman said Mr Wilson’s project met planning policies and would not have any significant impact on the visual or residential amenity of the area.

However, Mr Waterman said changing the use of what was currently a repair workshop, a generally quiet activity, to a community use and with the possibility of the adjoining The Cat’s Whisker restaurant also using it could result in more noise impacting on neighbours, so a time restriction condition had been included.

Watchet town councillors welcomed Mr Wilson bringing the area back into use for a function room and skittle alley, but expressed reservations that some of the proposed uses could potentially cause disturbance to neighbours.

Two letters of support were also received by the council.