Pub agrees to limit major outdoor events over noise complaints

The Crown at Iverley, has been granted permission to extend its opening hours to 12.30am Monday to Sunday and serve alcohol from an outside bar as well as its indoor facilities.

But the proposed changes to the outdoor activities at the venue sparked several objections from nearby residents following noise from major events and functions held in a tipi in the grounds, which is available for hire.

Helen Hale, who spoke at a South Staffordshire Council licensing sub-committee hearing on Friday, said: “I have lived in my property for 23 years and previously we haven’t had any issues.

“The noise is unbearable and it has been since October 2018. It goes on during week nights, I cannot have my windows open in the summer and the music has been going on until midnight.

“I have a high pressure job and I work five days a week. I’m in bed by 10pm on weekdays but awake until midnight. My son is 10 and his school has informed me he has been falling asleep in lessons – that has always been the day after the noise.

“On Saturday I had to leave my own home at eight because I couldn’t stand the noise any longer.

“When the music is in the building it’s manageable. But when it is outside it is not just the music, we have had people being rowdy and shouting. It’s making a huge impact on my life.”

Another nearby resident, Annette Johnston, said: “The volume of the music is the main concern because it is very loud and the boom boom of the bass is there for the whole time. Last Saturday it was eight hours during the day and this Saturday it is going to be another eight hours.

Reduced to tears

“I don’t want people to stop having parties – it’s just not the right place. I’m trembling now and I will be for several days before these events are going to happen. I was reduced to tears – this is beyond the pale and I appeal to you don’t change the licence they have now.”

Daniel Dawson from applicant Made Social Inns told the committee: “We are primarily a gastro-restaurant and bar. The tipi is used for christenings and small functions, not for parties, and the application for the outside bar is for the tipi, which is a separate entity.”

Colleague Darren McClure added: “Previously we have had people bringing bands and DJs but we have curtailed that. They have to use our music system which is at a lower level.

“We are a local employer and we employ 25 staff. We have events in order to make our business sustainable and viable, otherwise it is very difficult at the moment.”

He told the committee the venue was willing to limit the number of major outdoor events to three a year.

The committee agreed to this condition, as well as limiting the time alcohol was served and live and recorded music was played to 11pm, instead of 12am as previously requested.

Councillor Mike Lawrence, who chaired the hearing, also called for residents to be given two weeks’ written notice of events and a contact number when they were taking place so they could report any concerns.

A further condition was imposed requiring no noise from the tipi to be heard from the nearest residential property.