Residents had called for fair play after the New Bowling Green Inn in St Nicholas Church Street announced plans to open a bar in its garden, but Warwick District Council's planning committee passed the application on Wednesday.

Conservation group the Warwick Society and neighbours feared the proposed bar and servery would lead to an increase in noise and glaring lights late into the evening.

In a letter to officials, The society's planning secretary John Turner called upon planners to exercise fairness, which he believes is enshrined in the authority's planning policy.

At the meeting he said: "We are concerned this development would harm the integrity and setting of the building, nor would it enhance the nature of the conservation area.

"We see it as unfair that it would be at the expense of the neighbours' peaceful enjoyment of their homes."

The pub is a listed building in the narrow street. Those living nearby fear customers will cause more parking problems if the garden bar is popular. Others fear cooking smells will add to already poor air quality.

The plans were the second set to be submitted after earlier designs were judged not to fit with surrounding buildings.

Landlady Leah Keyworth had insisted the extension would be tasteful. She said the new bar would not be near houses and any new lighting would be subtle and calming.

Councillors agreed. Coun Ann Blacklock (Lib Dem, Kenilworth Abbey) said: "The servery will make life easier for staff. It may or may not lead to extra customers, but I don't think there is anything more sinister about this application that that."

Coun Alan Rhead (Con, Budbrooke) added: "I don't think it's going to make a big impact on the pub that's already there, the garden can't be any more well used than it is already."