A MONMOUTHSHIRE pub owned by radio DJ Chris Evans is having to make changes to its grounds after falling foul of Planning rules.

The Newbridge Inn, in Tredunnock near Usk, is appealing to the Planning Inspectorate Wales after being served with an enforcement notice by Monmouthshire council.

The pub, one of three owned by BBC Radio 2 star Chris Evans, levelled a piece of land, covered it with bark chippings and put up a fence.

It also put up a temporary marquee without permission.

The council’s development control enforcement officer, Paula Clarke, said despite requests for a retrospective planning application to keep the changes, no response was received from the company.

She said there was no alternative but to serve an enforcement notice, used to stop continued unauthorised use of a development and is subject to a fine if not followed.

The officer said the area of land is next to the River Usk, a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

She said the Countryside Council for Wales and the Environment Agency had serious concerns about the effect of the unauthorised works on biodiversity and flooding.

Kirit Doshi, a shareholder of the Evans Pubs group, said the piece of land was covered with five-foot high overgrowth, a health hazard to customers sitting nearby, and had become a dumping ground.

Mr Doshi said the company is now considering creating a new boundary in line with the requests of the environmental groups.

He said it plans to create a hedge around the fence, remove the bark chippings and make sure flooding does not become an issue.

Mr Doshi said the work will be carried out as soon it has been agreed with the council.

He said a marquee was put up for wedding ceremonies last year for short periods but added: “We are not fighting them on this issue. We have accepted their comments and will not put a marquee up without consulting them.”

An Assembly spokeswoman said the application is still under appeal to be determined by a planning inspector.