CONCERNED residents fear their “peaceful and tranquil” rural village could become “hellish” if a pub is allowed to host music events outdoors late at night.
Ever since the Black Boys Inn, in Henley Road near Hurley village, lodged its licensing application, an avalanche of objectors have slammed their proposals as “ill-conceived” and have demanded the Royal Borough Council to reject their plan.
The outdoor pop-up venue, which is operating under a temporary license, wants to play live music, films, and other events as well as serving late night alcohol and refreshments to stop-outs outside as well as add 24 hours camping time during the summer season, May 1 to September 30, for people to get away and experience rural life.
They propose to open and serve booze from 9am to midnight every day – except for Sunday where they will stop serving alcohol at 11pm.
READ MORE: Windsor nightclub 'disappointed' licensing hearing delayed
Because 84 residents objected to the application - who feared loud music at night and a projected 500 people that could cause rowdy drunken behaviour and parking mayhem – it triggered a licensing sub-committee hearing on Tuesday, August 24.
Speaking at the meeting, Matthew Valentine, the applicant, denied he was planning to host large music events and wants to have a pub garden with mostly acoustic acts and host weddings and corporate events from time to time.
He denied he will use pyrotechnics and believes an original application that was published “accidentally”, which involved closing times at 3am, triggered alarm bells for most of the neighbours.
Mr Valentine also said it will be “unlikely” 500 people will show up to events and anticipates up to 200 people – with a possible 300 at special events but would require an assessment by the fire service and safety advisory group.
On car parking, the applicant said they never had an issue with an overflow to adjacent country road Black Boys Lane.
But this didn’t quash the locals’ concerns – with some residents on nearby Frogmill Court they are already “tasting what’s to come” with the “loud” and “thumping” music from the venue being heard in their homes and is having a “detrimental” impact on their lives.
We have already had a taste of what’s to come.
Deborah Keenan, who has lived in Frogmill Court for 26 years, said: “If the applicant gets what he wants, he will have louder, bigger, and noisier events, and will basically unleash a hellish situation on us and the surrounding area, subjecting a whole community, the caravan park, the village to noise and in particular a horde of noisy, drunken people, causing a nuisance passing our homes late at night for every weekend throughout the summer.
“We have already had a taste of what’s to come.”
She also accused Mr Valentine of advertising a “Low Tide” music festival on social media. Mr Valentine said that was “marketing” to pique interest and won’t be like Glastonbury with camping or portaloos as they aim to host small, acoustic acts.
Speaking on behalf of objectors, John Payne, said for the past two months, 35 complaints have been lodged against the Black Boys Inn and the council’s environmental health manager said they fear the noise may be occurrence and are “in the process” of serving a noise abatement notice.
An acoustics expert brought in by Mr Payne conducted a test on August 14 and found the noise was detrimental for residents on Frogmill Court and suggested special speakers to lessen the noise impact.
READ MORE: Hurley pub hits out over backlash to live music plans
Meanwhile, Mr Valentine said his acoustic consultant found on that same day that some music can be audible nearby – but it’s not of an “offensive” nature. He also said the pub is working to produce a noise management plan with the council to see what an acceptable noise limit is.
He also said plans to appeal the notice if it goes through because he was following due process and limits of the temporary license.
Mr Valentine felt “under sieged” with the number of objections and pleaded to councillors to approve his license with or without conditions, believing without outdoor music, it won’t make the pub a “viable” business.
He also said it will contribute to the local economy by employing local people and attracting tourists.
Cllrs on the sub-committee will adjourn and give their final ruling within five working days.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here