LICENSING bosses are set to decide on controversial plans to allow a village pub to considerably increase its late-night opening times to 1.30am - a move which would cause ‘misery’ for nearby homes.
The Green Dragon, on Cote Lane, Thurgoland will be discussed by councillors on Tuesday after licence holders Star Pubs and Bars sought a variation on its current agreement.
According to documents revealed this week, they propose to open an extra 30 minutes to 11.30pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday, as well as serve alcohol for 90 more minutes - to last orders at 1.30am - on Friday and Saturday.
However, it’s been criticised by locals - some of whose terraced homes are directly attached to the pub - who say the changes will impact their standard of living and they subsequently lodged their concerns during a public consultation phase.
The objections - submitted in partially redacted emails to the council which claimed ‘misery’ would be brought if the plans received the go-ahead - were also echoed by Environmental Health’s Emily Convey-McGovern, who said discussions with the licensee about mitigation measures had been inconsistent.
She said: “Pollution control objects to the variation of this licence because the applicant has not provided adequate details of how they intend to prevent public nuisance.
“The premises is located in a quiet residential area with premises sharing boundaries.
“In my experience, lack of control and poor management of noise sources associated with licensed premises can have an adverse impact of residents who live in close proximity.
“I have concerns that this application for variation, without adequate supporting evidence to show a clear commitment to ensuring noise sources will be carefully controlled, will result in nearby residents being impacted, particular during periods when they are trying to sleep.”
During the 28-day consultation period, several discussions took place between the council’s senior licensing officer, its noise pollution officer, the applicant’s solicitor and objectors.
As a result of the discussions a noise management plan has been submitted by the applicant’s solicitor, but no agreement has been reached with regards to it being conditioned ahead of next week’s meeting, a report said.
It added: “The objectors are still very concerned about the noise and antisocial behaviour that they believe will occur with the later opening times especially when the premises are open until 1.30am.
“The applicant has not offered any details on the application form within the licensing objectives of how they would work to prevent public nuisance with regards to noise levels relating to the music being played or customers leaving the premises late at night.
‘Following the receipt of the representations the senior licensing officer has spoken to all parties to clarify points of confusion, put questions and points of concern to the applicant’s legal advisor on behalf of the representatives.
“To date no information has been forthcoming from the applicant or any offers of actions that could be taken to allay the concerns of the representatives.”
