Alec’s Restaurant Bar & Grill in Brentwood wants extension

Alec’s Restaurant Bar & Grill in Navestock wants to extend the pergola at the rear of the restaurant which would allow an extra 12 covers with more room around tables.

But Navestock Parish Council says the increase in customers would exacerbate parking issues for residents who already suffer congestion.

The venue, which is the eponymous restaurant of Alec Smith - the former owner of Smith’s restaurant in Ongar- opened in 2010.

Our sister title the Southend Echo reported last year that it was regularly frequented by Denise Van Outen, with Vicky Pattison describing the potato dauphinoise as "to die for".

Essex Live said it is a favourite of Rylan Clark, reporting him as saying: "I love Alec's so much, every time I'm in there, I know all the staff, it's my local.

"The food is always amazing and the service is amazing."

Rylan Clark is a fan of Alec's (Image: PA)

Navestock Parish Council said it understands the restaurant owners' desire for a better dining experience at the "popular and well visited restaurant".

But it added: “There has and continues to be a major problem with car parking for those attending as well as local residents.

"The car park is simply not large enough to accommodate diners and when full causes congestion on the road leading up to and beyond the restaurant.

“This results in cars parking on a road that has no pavements or street lighting, often damaging the grass verges and restricting residents from parking outside their own homes.

"It is felt that the larger pergola and the extra diners (12 covers) with no provision for additional parking, will only exacerbate the issue of car parking even more.”

Brentwood Council officers said the planned extension would increase the size of the original building by almost a third but they felt it wouldn't represent a "disproportionate increase".

They added: "There is insufficient evidence to demonstrate that the development proposed would materially increase vehicle movements or parking demand above that associated with the established restaurant use, or that it would result in an unacceptable impact upon highway safety or a severe adverse impact upon the capacity of the highway network."

A statement from the restaurant said: “The proposed pergola to the existing external seating area will help to provide a vibrant environment that is in keeping with the nature of the area and will not have a detrimental impact on highway users, adjacent buildings and residents.”

The restaurant, which was nominated for two British Restaurant Awards in 2022, had been previously the Green Man pub.