Little Ale House- plans for beer garden in York bar

Plans lodged with City of York Council would see the rear courtyard of The Little Ale House, in Stonegate, converted into an outdoor drinking area with space for around 50 people.

Owners Harrogate Tipple’s application stated it would bring a space with views of York Minster and the 12th Century Norman House into use for its patrons.

The plans would see the area, which is currently used as a service yard, converted into a landscaped beer garden with an oak-framed outdoor bar.

Plans stated the development would follow the conversion of the upper floors of the Grade II*-listed 46-50, Stonegate into the craft ale bar which opened in December.

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The space previously housed the Little Bettys café which closed in 2021.

Plans for the beer garden would see the existing concrete and asphalt surface of the yard replaced with materials such as stone flags or brick paving.

A dead tree is set to be removed and moveable planters and pots would be put into the garden.

A mix of timber benches, picnic tables and stools would provide seating and festoon and wall-mounted lights would also be installed.

An impression showing how the beer garden planned for The Little Ale House, in Stonegate, York, could look. Picture is from Harrogate Tipple/York Council’s planning portal

The free-standing outdoor bar would be closed by timber cladding beneath a pitched slate roof.

Part of the ruins of the 12th Norman House, which is thought to be the oldest surviving domestic building in York, runs along the side of the courtyard.

Plans stated the conversion would create an exciting space reflecting the traditions of York’s historic courtyard inns.

They added they would have no effect on the Norman House remains bordering the yard.

The application stated: “The existing courtyard is visually unattractive and inaccessible to patrons, yet it enjoys glimpsed views towards York Minster and the Norman House.

“Creating a small beer garden would support the viability of the new business, provide an outdoor meeting space in keeping with York’s tradition of courtyard inns, and give the public the opportunity to appreciate the Norman remains.”