The owners of a historic Nelson pub have won a bid to open a new dining area.

Mark King, of the Lord Nelson Inn, on Commercial Street, had sought planning permission to build a new private dining area at the rear of the premises, on land currently taken up by part of the pub’s beer garden.

The renovations will also include a new rear entrance porch and toilets.

Caerphilly County Borough Council planning officers judged the rear extension would have only a “limited public visibility” and “would not detract from the significance of” the main pub building.

They noted the plans would lead to extra dining space, but said the pub already has an “established” car park and decided the extension would not lead to a “significant” rise in demand for spaces.

No public objections were lodged against the application during a recent consultation period.

The council officers granted planning permission, subject to conditions including the recommended hours of construction.