A new attempt to block plans for a pub in Frinton has failed - and the genteel resort is now one step closer to its first ale house

In a mammoth debate on Tuesday evening,Tendring Council's planning committee took nearly three hours to finally agree the owner of the former ironmongers in Connaught Avenue could open a pub.

The committee then continued to take its time to agree on the internal structure of any development.

The meeting is the latest in more than a year of argument relating to the subject.

Originally permission for beer giants J D Wetherspoons to convert the building was given by the council in November 1998.

But when Wetherspoons backed out of the project a question mark was left hanging over the issue.

The owner of the building, Eammon Ryan, said he was still determined to see a pub built and re-applied for a change in the original permission that would allow another pub company to use the building.

This problem with the project has enabled the anti-pub lobby to re-group and in the latest round of protest Tendring Council has received 1,136 letters - most of them objecting to even the idea of an ale house.

Speaking at the meeting Roy Caddick (Con, Great and Little Oakley) said: "Should we not listen to the wishes of the people of Frinton?"

Mr Caddick, who lives in the town, was backed by fellow Tory councillors all of whom wanted further investigation.

Their coalition with the Liberals, however, was tested by the debate and Rosemary Smith (Lib Dem, Mistley) refused to agree with the Conservatives about "background" music.

She said: "It is reasonable for a restaurant to have background music. We have said there is to be no music but this will not exceed the volume of conversation - that is reasonable."

The committee eventually agreed to background music so long as insulation made of wood and bitumen and an "airlock" door arrangement was provided.

Developers of the pub site still have to apply for a drinks licence.

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