The Paddington pub, the $50k ‘parklet’ and the neighbourhood planning row

2 hours ago 1

A long-running Paddington pub’s plan to turn a parking space into outdoor dining has sparked a row with neighbours, who fear it could lead to rowdy crowd behaviour, sleep deprivation and affect their mental health.

The London Hotel is pushing ahead with a $50,000 proposal to set up tables and chairs in a purpose-built “parklet” outside the venue, in a move aimed at boosting the late-night alfresco dining scene in the inner-city suburb.

The London Hotel in Paddington is planning to spend $50,000 on the parklet.

The British-styled hotel – which is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year – was given the tick of approval to build a 7.5-metre-long dining area for trading as late as 11pm during a three-hour Woollahra Council meeting attended by both supporters and opponents of the proposal.

The approval came with a list of more than 70 conditions, including a ban on amplified music, requirements for security guards on Friday and Saturday nights, a prohibition on smoking, and the erection of barriers to ensure the safety of diners.

The parklet has been a contentious issue, attracting more than 400 submissions to council, including a petition.

Concerned residents, pictured outside the London Hotel in Paddington

Parklet supporter and Paddington Chamber of Commerce member Jock Bell said the outdoor dining area could be a boon for Paddington by attracting more visitors to the shopping strip.

“It’s not a parklet that will be going until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays – it will strengthen Paddington as a destination and enhance the sense of community,” he said.

But Petra O’Neill, a member of the resident-led Paddington Society, said the trading hours could lead to unacceptable noise impacts on residents of terraces surrounding the venue.

“The detrimental impact of this parklet will be felt on our mental health caused by noise and disturbance,” she said.

“This is not a cafe or restaurant – it’s a pub where patrons consume alcohol – and the parklet represents enlarging that space outdoors with patrons spilling out onto the street.”

Other concerned residents, in submissions to the council, took umbrage at potential effects on pedestrians, raising fears that tables and chairs will block access for dog walkers and people with prams, while others opposed the loss of the one parking space required for the development.

Debate over the parklet comes after other Sydney venues faced regulatory hurdles to create outdoor dining areas, including Rollers Bakehouse in Manly and Stanley Green in the CBD.

Woollahra councillor Mary-Lou Jarvis told the council meeting “orange fluoro” bollards surrounding the dining area could be incongruous with Paddington’s heritage streetscape and questioned whether the council could impose conditions requiring a “heritage barrier” around the seating area.

Fellow councillor Toni Zeltzer warned that “introducing a parklet on the road” could set a “precedent” for the area.

The London Hotel’s licensee, Kingsley Smith.

“It’s Paddington, and it’s just not right to start blistering it out with parklets – it’s not the right spot for it,” she said.

“When you buy into an area near a pub, it’s a case of ‘buyer beware’, but for a pub to constantly grow I don’t think is right in Paddington because the homes are so close together.”

London Hotel licensee Kingsley Smith rejected claims the parklet would lead to late-night disturbances for residents living within earshot of the venue.

“We’re only looking to put out 14 seats plus a sidewalk table, so it’s not as though there’ll be a huge crowd of people causing noise,” he said.

“We’re a heavily regulated industry with rules upon rules for everything. Compared to Europe, we’re a very ‘nanny’ state, and the conditions will reduce any of the potential impacts.

“Since COVID-19 there’s been a very noticeable trend with younger generations choosing not to drink as much alcohol and instead looking for more alfresco dining experiences and that’s what we want to offer.”

A council report said the parklet was in line with its “parklet policy”, which was introduced during the pandemic to support cafes, bars and restaurants to expand outdoor dining space.

Woollahra Mayor Sarah Dixson supported the hotel’s plans: “Finding anywhere to eat anywhere after 10pm on a Friday night, even in the City of Sydney, is difficult, let alone Woollahra.”

Woollahra Mayor Sarah Dixson supported the venue’s plans

Smith said work was now full steam ahead to have the parklet open in time for summer, with contracts already awarded for the $50,000 build.

The approval comes as nearby Paddington venue Charlie Parker’s, operated by Justin Hemmes’ Merivale group, launches a Land and Environment Court challenge against the council after it knocked back its plans to extend trading hours from midnight to 2am, seven days a week.

The proposal had faced similar concerns to those raised by residents over the London Hotel’s plan, with objectors arguing it could lead to unacceptable noise and loss of amenity.

Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.