A RESTAURANT owner is appealing against a ban on extending the hours his customers and staff can use a pontoon at Folly Bridge.

In September last year, Oxford City Council rejected an application for Aziz Pandesia to extend the hours from 9.30pm to 11pm.

Two months later, planners threw out a similar application to extend the hours until 10.30pm.

Now restaurant owner Aziz Ur-Rahman has lodged an appeal against both decisions, taken because of concerns over potential noise nuisance to neighbours.

He said: “We are appealing on behalf of our customers.

“They complain to us when we have to rush them back into the restaurant at 9.30pm, because it disrupts their dining. When we explain the rules, they think it’s ridiculous.

“We don’t get much opportunity in this country to enjoy some nice weather — we don’t get many warm evenings. When we do, we need to take advantage.”

Mr Ur-Rahman claimed there had been no problems with noise pollution over the past three years so the restaurant should be given the benefit of the doubt.

He added: “I think it’s important for the tourism in the area. We need a place where people can relax and enjoy an evening.”

Elizabeth Gardener, of Folly Bridge, told the September planning meeting: "In my apartment I can hear a conversation between two people working in the restaurant. I can even hear plates being scraped.

“Up to 60 people could sit on that pontoon eating and drinking until after 11pm."

Interested parties have until March 24 to comment on the two appeals.

tshepherd@oxfordmail.co.uk