Published on:
03
February 2005
An Alva publican who has agreed to keep the noise down has been granted a regular extension to her pub's opening hours.
An application from The Twa Macs licensee Karen Wisdom had previously been refused at the October meeting of the Clackmannanshire Licensing Board after objections were lodged by Clackmannanshire Council's Environmental Health Service, Central Scotland Police and local residents concerning the level of noise coming from the pub.
A report from a firm of acoustic engineers was presented to the January meeting of the Board and since then the Council's Environmental Services have been working closely with the applicant and her solicitor to address the noise issue.
Following a discussion at the adjourned meeting of the Board on 2nd February, it was decided to grant the regular extension, with conditions.
Board Convener Councillor Kenny Earle said: "We listened to Alva residents' concerns and noted their complaints and I am glad that the Board has been able to work with the relevant authorities to come to this solution. Our environmental health officers will continue to monitor the situation and any further problems will be brought to the Board's attention.
"I have every confidence that the licensees' solicitor will have impressed upon Ms Wisdom that she not only has a responsibility to the patrons of the licensed premises but that she also has a wider social responsibility to the people staying within the proximity of the bar."
The latest Board meeting heard that a noise limiter has been installed in the rear function room of the pub to prevent disturbance to local residents. The licensee has also agreed only to use the rear function room for live entertainment or discos when there is a private function. She has agreed to apply for an Occasional Extension licence for private functions which will give the Board an opportunity to apply special conditions.
Food and Licensing Team Leader John Stothard said: "We were aware that very high levels of noise were being produced which could be heard by people living in nearby houses.
"The Council takes noise very seriously, and it is unfortunate that in this case the Board was forced to refuse the regular extension to the pub's licence over the busy festive period before they began to work with us towards a solution.
"Several officers have been involved in this case to monitor the noise levels involved and I believe we have come to a good solution which has seen the Board use its powers effectively, based on the information we were able to supply. We will be watching closely and making sure that the Board's conditions are enforced to protect the environment for local residents."