Temporary wedding venue licence granted

Council licensing chiefs have approved a controversial licence with conditions for a temporary wedding venue in Hampton Bishop.

Residents made more than 60 representations to Herefordshire Council raising concerns of noise and public safety associated with the proposals for a new premises licence at House Meadow, Whitehall Farm on Whitehall Road.

Applicant Jamie Rogers asked for permission to play indoor films, indoor and outdoor recorded and live music as well as for the sale and supply of alcohol and late night refreshment 8am until midnight.

The temporary wedding venue will use Scandinavian tipis to host the events.

But Helen Sudlow said recent events had caused herself and many others worry and anxiety.

“We have been disturbed by two weddings,” she said.

“Once from 3pm until 12am that night. The music was incredibly loud and you could hear the announcements being made over the microphone.

“The second time, the music and the constant beat caused us to call the environmental protection staff who visited us to monitor the problem.”

Colin Campbell said the application was dangerous due to its proximity to the main road and the numerous fatalities.

“The access is appalling. The visibility is terrible,” he said.

George Kerr said it would have a negative impact it would have on the residents of a small close knit community of Hampton Bishop.

Johnny Walker speaking on behalf of the applicant said: “This is an application for an intimate, discreet wedding venue.

“This is not some wild rave. It’s not high volume, vertical drinking establishment, it’s not a festival -it’s nothing of that nature whatsoever.

“When hirers make contact with the venue and come to have a look they are vetted for their suitability to ensure they fit the venue. It does not work the other way around.”

Claire Ward, council monitoring officer, said: “The committee has considered the relevant representations received which were concerning noise and have found that these representations were not frivolous or vexatious.

“They found the noise concerns were legitimate and were based on actual evidence heard in relation to an event held on August 4, when a noise nuisance was to the extent that a resident in the village called the environmental health officers.”

Granted the condition can be run 12 times per calendar year and no use of fireworks and Chinese lanterns.