Wedding plans for holiday let

Weddings could be soon be held at a luxury holiday home in Monmouthshire if plans are approved by the local authority.

The owner of Woodbank, in Llanhennock, has applied for a premises licence for the sale of alcohol, live music, and plays until the early hours of the morning.

But the application has attracted 18 objections from residents concerned about increased traffic and ‘drunken and disorderly behaviour’ disrupting the village’s ‘peaceful’ environment.

Objections from Gwent Police and the council’s licensing team were withdrawn after the application was amended.

Under the proposals, weddings held at the venue would cater for no more than 200 guests at one time, with ceremonies held inside or in a marquee.

Alcohol would be sold all week between 8am and 1am indoors and 8am to 11pm outdoors from a proposed pop-up vendor.

Gwent Police asked that bar staff be trained to prevent the supply of alcohol to underage drinkers or intoxicated customers.

Late night refreshments, including hot food and drink, would be available from 11pm and 1am indoors but not outside.

Live or recorded music would be played no later than 12.30am indoors and 11pm in any marquees. Plays would be performed indoors between 8am and 12.30am and 8am to 11pm outside.

Staff arriving early morning or late at night will be asked to leave quietly as not to disturb nearby residents, while visitors will be asked not to stand around loudly talking outside the premises.

The venue will still be used as a holiday let but would also host lunches, meetings, seminars, and would be an accommodation partner for the International Convention Centre Wales in Newport.

The applicant claims to have experience in managing charity events for up to 300 people, while having family experience in running restaurants and bars.

A pre-planning application to change the use of the building from a private residence has been received by council planners.

But the idea of a premises licence has proven contentious in Llanhennock, with one villager saying: “Allowing up to a hundred people to use Woodbank will at some point result in drunken and disorderly behaviour when large numbers of partygoers are leaving the premises.”

Another resident said: “Many people, both adults and children, walk and cycle around the village. These are narrow lanes and totally unfit for any volume of traffic, let alone where alcohol is also involved.”

Monmouthshire council’s licensing committee will consider the application on March 5.