Conditions added to bar’s licence.

Further conditions have been added to a cocktail bar and restaurant's licence following reports of excessive noise.

The Greenhouse, in Bridgnorth, has held several outdoor events this year that have involved tribute acts and DJs.

However, nearby residents complained of the noise, with one person saying he was so worried about  the perilous state of his Grade II listed home due to bass frequencies that he fears it could eventually collapse.

A noise abatement notice had previously been served on the high street premises, while Shropshire Council’s Licensing Act Sub-Committee issued a counter notice that prevented an outdoor event happening in September.

Last week, the sub-committee reviewed The Greenhouse’s licence following an application from environment protection officer, Rob Bowland.

Mr Bowland said the noise emanating from premises was one of the worst cases he has encountered in nearly 30 years.

“They’ve had more events this year and continue to inflict misery on their neighbours,” said Mr Bowland.

“In the same week they were served with a noise abatement notice, they applied for a TEN [temporary event notice] for another DJ outside which, in my view, shows contempt of the council and the whole licensing process.

“The El Caso and tub thumping events should be indoors, and the tribute acts are more akin to a festival.”

Public protection officer, Ross O’Neill said the September event still went ahead despite the TEN refusal, stating that the licence would not have been breached if the music was only “background and incidental”.

The licence holder, Andrew Rhodes confirmed the event was indoors, and people only went outside to smoke, talk, and socialise.

The committee heard from Martin Donnelly and Joanne Jordan, who live in nearby Tudor Court.

Mr Donnelly said his house has already been shored up “on The Greenhouse side” because it is at risk of collapse.

“Listed buildings with weak walls are affected by low frequency bass, and there is legislation to control that,” he said.

“I am really afraid that our house is being damaged. So it’s not just about the volume, it’s about the type of frequency.”

Mr Donnelly added that he noticed “some shifting” shortly after an event held at The Greenhouse on August 29, and it is being investigated by experts.

Mrs Jordan said: “It’s become a bit of a nightmare and is making my health worse. When the bass gets going, it’s the vibration.

“We’ve had comments from people at The Grove saying they can hear it.

“This summer was so hot, we couldn’t open the windows. It was unbearable.”

Mr Rhodes said the premises has a long history of being a music venue that brings in tourism and boosts the local economy.

“We take residents’ concerns seriously and recognise their right to enjoy their homes without unreasonable disturbance,” said Mr Rhodes.

“However, we ask that The Greenhouse is judged fairly on the evidence and the way the business actually operates.”

Mr Rhodes that he was happy to reduce the number of TENs to eight per year, which he said is a meaningful compromise and shows the directors have listened.

The sub-committee has now reached its decision, stating it was not satisfied that the current conditions were sufficient to promote the licensing objectives.

Therefore, it has added additional conditions.

No separate, stand-alone, music speakers will be permitted in the outside area, apart from six days a year between 2pm and 10pm. And there has to be at least a 20-day gap between each such event.

The residents of Tudor Court must also be informed 14 days beforehand, and the speakers have to be facing away from the premises and towards the rear boundary line.

Meanwhile, a current condition that reads, any external speaker will be at a low level and positioned to minimise the impact on noise sensitive receptors, can be removed. This is because the sub-committee deemed it ambiguous and unenforceable.