RESIDENTS in Wallingford are concerned an extension to a popular pub and restaurant in the town centre will lead to an increase in noise.

Award-winning pub chain Oakman Inns, which runs The Old Post Office, wants to build a single-storey, partly glazed extension to the Grade II listed building in St Martin's Street.

According to the planning application to South Oxfordshire District Council, the 35sq m extension on the north side of the original sorting office will allow staff to install a wood-fired oven which will be used daily to boost the choice of dishes.

But residents fear the plans, which also include a proposal for a ramp for the disabled at a side entrance, will lead to a bin store being relocated, and increase noise disturbance.

Shirley James, who lives in nearby Church Lane, told planners: "The application is for the store to be relocated against the dividing wall between the yard and the properties 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D Church Lane, significantly closer than at present.

"With the expansion of the restaurant the noise can only increase in volume and intrude on my quiet enjoyment.

"My bedroom and my balcony are both at the rear of the property, adjacent to the Old Post Office yard.

"The store needs to be a properly enclosed brick construction, fully soundproofed and bottles not disposed of at unsociable hours.

"Additional outside eating space in the yard should be daytime use only."

Ms James added that a properly-constructed bottle store and restricted use of outside tables would "satisfy" her objections.

The design and access statement submitted by Oakman Inns, part of the planning application, said the proposed extension was "set back against the north elevation of the restaurant and existing sliding doors would lead from the restaurant into the new space."

According to the statement, the extension will only be "minimally visible" from St Martin's Street.

Members of the public are being consulted on the plans until May 6.

Hertfordshire-based Oakman Inns has been running The Old Post Office for the past six years.

Town mayor Lynda Atkins said Oakman Inns has contacted the town council, promising to ensure that residents' noise concerns will be addressed.

She added: "The Old Post Office is a fantastic venue in the middle of Wallingford.

"On Friday and Saturday nights it is the nearest thing the town has to a nightclub, but in a good way, and on Sunday you can go there for Sunday lunch."

Peter Borg-Neal, chief executive officer of Oakman Inns and Restaurants, said: "We always look to be good neighbours and be an integral part of the community."

He said Oakman will build specially insulated bin stores in a new location and lay resin-bound gravel to reduce the noise when they are being moved.

Mr Borg-Neal pledged that staff would be "hyper-aware" of their neighbours and only recycle bottles between 10am and 7pm, with an acoustic trellis being added to improve privacy.

The chain also runs The Crown & Thistle in Abingdon and The Blue Boar in Witney.

Residents can view the plans online at southoxon.gov.uk using reference number P16/S0718/FUL and comment until May 6.