College licence review after noise complaints

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Thursday, 22 August 2019 17:33

By Carmelo Garcia - Local Democracy Reporter

Councillors will next week review a Hereford college’s events licence after residents complained over sleepless nights caused by rowdy parties and Neil Diamond’s music.

The Royal National College for the Blind has permission to sell alcohol Monday to Friday from 11am to midnight and also host music and other functions.

But Herefordshire Council’s licensing sub-committee will reconsider their licence following noise complaints from residents in Admirals Close.

An officer’s report said music continued to play past midnight on June 29 and the DJ was heard to say ‘OK just one more’ before playing Neil Diamond’s song Sweet Caroline.

Officers said a statutory noise nuisance took place and served a notice on the venue which lead to the current licence review.

Residents said they have suffered loud music and obnoxious behaviour coming from the venue including shouting a swearing into the early hours of the morning.

“We have two children that have been subjected to this anti-social behaviour as a result of the consumption of alcohol outside,” one resident said.

“We feel that this is unacceptable in a residential area.”

Another said the noise was disrupting nearby children’s sleep during events as recent as June and July this year.

One local said police to a christening party where children were present.

“Loud music and alcohol are a mixture that makes control of all individuals to consider others very difficult,” they said.

“The public nuisance due to these events causes mental stress, a lack of sleep and general anxiety.”

“An environment officer who visited the site at 11.30pm [on June 29] said the noise levels are unacceptable near a residential area.

“On Thursday July 4, 2019 a group of people were sitting outside Gardner Hall shouting and singing until approximately 11.30pm.”

Councillors will review the licence at 10am at Shirehall on August 30.

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