Plans to open the borough’s second micropub are on hold.

Trevor Howard had hoped to open the Gidea Park Micropub later this month but the council’s planning authority have stalled its progress after raising concerns about public nuisance in relation to parking.

The 33-year-old submitted a planning application earlier this year to convert offices on a ground floor industrial unit in Main Road, Gidea Park.

Mr Howard believes the proposed location is extremely well served by public transport and its specialist appeal means very few will decide to drive to the micropub.

He said: “No decision has still been made and we remain hopeful that the planning authority will reach what we believe to be the right decision.

“We think there is no parking issue as very few people will come by car.”

But the former pub manager is still very pleased that the council’s licensing committee did grant approval at a meeting last Friday, subject to a number of conditions.

Mr Howard has agreed to retain CCTV records for 31 days and for children to leave the premises by 7pm.