Neighbours of a restaurant given the go ahead to add an extension at the back said they feared it was a 'loophole' to having outdoor dining.
The Main Course, Gullane, has been granted planning permission to extend its dining area into its rear garden, reducing the size of its current outdoor area.
However a meeting of East Lothian Licensing Board this week heard neighbours had raised concerns the extension, which they said would have glass folding doors, would become part of the outdoor dining.
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In a representation to the board, who were being asked to approve the additional capacity and new layout of the licensed premises, parents of young children said they were 'extremely' concerns about the impact of noise at night.
They said: "The extension is to have bi-fold doors and ceiling windows which would, presumably, be open when the weather permits so the definition of indoor and outdoor dining and drinking becomes particularly pertinent.
"We are concerned that the extension will in reality be used as something of a 'loophole' where outside planning may not permit the use of the garden area after a certain time of day."
Another objector claimed the extension would turn the quiet garden area into a pub with 'loud music, lots of people, alcohol being consumed until late at night".
They said: "All of which will destroy the tranquillity of this part of Gullane."
Restaurant owner Luciano Crolla and his agent Alistair Macdonald attended yesterday's licensing board and addressed the concerns raised, insisting the extension was simply adding capacity to the restaurant for 'peak times'.
Mr Macdonald said some of the objections had been sparked by initial plans to put a retractable roof on the extension but it had been rejected by planners.
He said: "The outdoor area is being reduced and the inside area is being increased which I would have thought, given the type of objections received that would be a helpful matter."
And he said there was no suggestion the area would turn into a pub adding "I am not sure where that is coming from but if objectors are concerned we can give them the assurance this is just a restaurant increase, our client just needs more space."
He also argued that the extension was enclosed and any suggestion it should be treated as an outdoor area would be "inappropriate".
The board's licensing standards officer Karen Harling said she had visited the restaurant where the extension is currently being built.
She said: "In my view it is more of an enclosed area and I just would advise the applicant to be wary of noise escaping from the area should the windows and doors be open and to put measures in accordingly.
The extension increases capacity for the restaurant from 87 to 118 board members were told.
No objections were raised by the licensing standards officer or Police Scotland to the increase or new layout which was unanimously approved by the board.
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