Barnsley pub’s music licence refused

Bosses at The Pheasant in Monk Bretton applied to Barnsley Council to vary their license to allow them to play live and recorded music outdoors.

The venue hoped for permission to play music outdoors twice a month, Monday to Thursday until 10pm, and up to 11pm on Friday and Saturday.

The license holder said a sound limiting device would be used, which will activate ‘at a level prior to which any disturbance is caused toresidents in the area’.

Licensing documents add that “Music will be barely audible at the nearest premises boundary (assessed by premises manager) so that the words to songs are not audible.

“Music will not be audible inside the nearest residential property (assessed by qualified officer).

“Signage will be displayed in a prominent position asking customers to respectful of neighbours or equivalent.

“Management will record any complaints or concerns that neighbours may submit.

Seven representations were made by residents, but a report by BMBC licensing officers states that “licensing field officer Martin Cooper has spoken to all parties to try and reach an agreed position to satisfy all concerned. To date no agreement has been reached.”

One resident states that allowing the variation will “disturb our peace and quiet and our quality of life.”

Another alleges that they are “unable to sit out in our garden together with family or young grandchildren due to hearing unexpected constant loud level of music.

“We feel that granting such a licence will only allow even more access to disrupt our lives at any time.

“If somehow a licence is granted, I demand that a council noise survey is conducted over a prolonged period at my property.”

The council’s statutory licensing regulatory board sub-committee decided that the proposals would ‘not satisfy concerns raised around uncontrolled noise, and would not support the licensing objective of prevention of public nuisance’ during a meeting on April 5.

The applicant has a right to appeal to the Magistrates Court within 21 days.