A HOTEL and pub in Whittlesey has two months to get rid of an illegal smoking garden before a council come in and do it for them.

The Falcon Hotel in London Street was given permission for a smoking shelter in 2008 and one was promptly put up in the pub’s garden.

But, after a complaint from a member of the public, Fenland District Council officers found the existing shelter was “of poor quality design and construction and in a different location form the one approved”.

The owners of the hotel, which is grade-II listed, were then given six months, December 5, 2011, to remove the shelter but this has not been done.

The council has now served an enforcement notice on the owners of the hotel - they have until July 30 to take down the structure or council staff will do it and charge them for the cost.

The Falcon Hotel was listed in 1985.

Its listing says: “Inn. Probably early 18th century in origin: enlarged and altered late 18th century and 19th century.”

After the hotel agreed to remove the conservatory within six months, the conservation officer at the council Martyn Kendall wrote to owner of the hotel Peter Grice: “A much preferred alternative would be to erect a marquee in this position which would not require any permission.

“I trust you appreciate because of its poor design and construction the permanent retention of this structure would not be acceptable and an enforcement notice give the council the opportunity to act immediately if it is not removed in time.”

If the Falcon fails to remove the shelter it could face a �20,000 fine.