Village bistro bar licence proposal rejected by West Norfolk Council

A parish councillor’s proposal to turn a former butcher’s shop into a bistro bar has been turned down by a West Norfolk Council licensing sub-committee.

Emneth councillor Lloyd Jeremy Groves applied for a licence to allow the sale of alcohol, the playing of recorded music and serving of late night refreshments at the site in Gaultree Square.

However, the application was rejected on the grounds of noise nuisance and safety to the public at Tuesday’s licensing hearing.

The proposed bar, which would have been located between two residential properties, was opposed by several residents.

Jackie Boxall, 61, said the late night noise from the proposed bar would severely affect her lifestyle.

She told the meeting: “I work hard and do not think I would be able to carry on my job if my sleep was disturbed.

“I work with children with special needs and it’s a stressful job, so I need rest at weekends.”

She added that another couple in the village in their 80s, who have lived there all of their lives, intended to move away if the application was granted.

Community safety and neighbourhood nuisance officer Joanne Reed said there is no proof that the building would be sufficiently insulated to block out music from inside, while residents would also be disturbed by the lack of parking on the premises.

Mrs Reed said: “The front of the building is really the crux of the problem in terms of parking and how much noise there is.

“Residents are so close that there is no way of controlling the noise.”

Concerns were also raised at there only being one toilet on the site, as well as people being able to overlook properties at the rear of the building if a smoking area was set up.

The building was previously a butcher’s shop, owned by councillor Stephen Curtis.

When announcing the decision to reject the licence application, councillor Samantha Sandell said: “We have heard submissions that constant noise would have an impact on residents and we accept this will cause disturbance.”

She added Mr Groves, who was not at the meeting, has the right to appeal the decision at Magistrates Court.

After the hearing, Mr Groves declined to comment on the decision and whether he would appeal.