A popular gateway pub for the Forest of Dean that dates back to the 1600s has been told that recent upgrades can remain – despite opposition among neighbours.

Along with play equipment and covered seating, the listed grade-II Red Lion Inn at Huntley, which sits on the A40, also requested permission for an iron cutout "statue" to commemorate soldiers who have died in conflict.

Case officer Hannah Ryan told Forest of Dean District Council that objections had been submitted for the location of the play area in the pub's gardens, "there being views that the structure attracts antisocial behaviour, projects noise and disturbance and can be used as a viewing platform which is of detriment to nearby residential dwellings, along The Square".

However, the report concluded that the climbing frame was some 23 metres from properties nearby and that "the climbing frame is set in a public house garden, whereby noise can already be expected irrespective of a climbing frame".

In addition, the council noted that the pub had agreed to a recommendation to resite the play area a further 10 metres from neighbouring homes to "lessen any overlooking impact".

Recent covered outdoor seating areas were also approved, while a proposed "statue" as an iron silhouette of a First World War soldier, together with the words "Lest We Forget", was also agreed. The figure will be positioned outside the front of the pub.

Archives from the website gloucestershirepubs.co.uk indicate that deeds for The Red Lion date back

to 1732, with the address becoming a coaching inn on the Gloucester-Hereford turnpike road during that century.

The site said: "An inventory taken in 1903 lists a 'Front Hall, Club Room, Smoke Room, Tap Room, Larder or Dairy, Kitchen, and Seven Bedrooms.' Outside was a 'Fowlhouse, Stable, Coal House, Orchards with fowl, Chaff House, Cider House with trough, Granary, Spirit Room and a painted swinging sign "Red Lion" with ironwork supports'."

In space to the side of the inn, as an extension, the Westgate Motor House operated from the address in the 1930s. The website adds: "Passing motorists could fill up with petrol from pumps conveniently positioned by the pub. No doubt the temptation of a pint or two of Cheltenham Ales might have attracted the motorist as well!"

The Red Lion is likely to have taken its name from a royal order made by King James I and VI of Scotland. When he came to the throne in 1603, King James ordered that the heraldic red lion of Scotland be shown on all important buildings. 

It is consequently thought to be the most popular pub name in Britain, with around 600 believed to still exist at the latest count.