Objections delay plans to turn old bank into a pub
LICENSING HEARING PUT BACK A MONTH AFTER CONCERNS ABOUT BEER GARDEN AND 2AM CLOSING
THE owners of a new pub, which is set to take the place of the former TSB bank in Mapperley must wait another month before being able to plead their case for a licence application.
Gedling Borough Council was set to hear the case for a licence for “The Old Bank Mapperley”, in Plains Road, but this has now been postponed until January 13.
The council says the meeting was postponed “to allow sufficient time for all parties to prepare for the hearing” due to a large number of objections to the plans.
The application is requesting a licence to turn the building into a bar and restaurant and is part of a wider redevelopment which also includes flats upstairs.
In its application, the pub’s owners propose to sell alcohol from 8am to 2am seven days a week.
It is also hoped to occasionally show plays, films, sport, live music, recorded music and dance performances.
And the venue states it will bring in a CCTV recording system before opening and will train all members of staff in the sale of alcohol, stressing it will follow “all relevant legislation” on public safety and nuisance.
However, 23 written objections have been received.
Drawings for the pub show it could have a beer garden to its rear, which several residents objected to on the grounds of “public nuisance”.
Terry Buttle, the council’s environmental health officer, also raised similar concerns.
In an objection letter, he said: “I have examined the plans submitted and I would like to object to the use of the outside area on the grounds of public nuisance.
“[This is] due to the potential noise levels from the use of the outside area, as these are likely to cause a public nuisance to nearby residential properties including those properties that have been proposed to the rear and above the premises.”
Others raised issues with the proposed opening times, stating that the majority of other local venues are closed by midnight, and none stay open until 2am. Objector Lynda Schippers, who lives on nearby Bonington Road, said: “The site of the premises is at the top of Bonington Road, which is a very quiet and peaceful place. We have a strong community spirit and a venue such as this is nothing but alarming. “There is no other venue, restaurant, pub or bar, that serves alcohol past 1am.
“The majority close at midnight at the weekend and 11pm during the week. There is no demand for a 2am closing.”
She went on to raise noise concerns tanging from people leaving “at all hours” and taxis driving around the area to the potential effects of alcohol on the “wrong kind of customers”.
In its submissions, the applicant said it will follow all “relevant legislation” to prevent public nuisance and will “liaise and cooperate” with responsible authorities.
It confirmed that a “Challenge 21” policy will be in place to prevent the sale of alcohol to underage drinkers.
There is no other venue, restaurant, pub or bar that serves alcohol past 1am
Lynda Schippers