Church wins battle for events' licence

Apr 29 2008 by Brian Daniel, The Journal

A NORTHUMBERLAND church has won a battle with neighbours over its bid for an entertainments licence which provoked fears of excessive noise.

St James United Reformed Church Centre on Pottergate in Alnwick was yesterday granted a premises licence by Alnwick District Council’s licensing sub-committee.

The committee made its decision following a four-week adjournment to allow the church to hold discussions with a band of eight neighbours who had feared round-the-clock noise.

The adjournment was intended to allow the parties to reach a compromise but at the hearing in the council’s Alnwick chamber, the church asked for its application to be determined as originally set out having rejected a revised proposal from residents.

The granting of the licence was welcomed by the church while objectors applauded the decision to provide them with contacts in the event of excessive noise and to allow them to discuss any concerns at church meetings.

Rev Joan Grindrod-Helmn said: “We feel relief but also sadness and regret that some of the local residents have been so upset and we hope that we can work with them as we have in the past.”

Objector Dave Binyon, of Pottergate, said: “It is fine, nobody really wanted it not to happen. We just wanted the best outcome possible really which I think we have probably got.”

Residents have 21 days to appeal. But Mr Binyon said: “That would be foolish, I think we will probably be fine now. Now they know there is genuine concern.”

The licence allows the church to hold plays, films, indoor sporting events, live and recorded music and dance on site. Activities would be permitted from 9am to 10.30pm every day but Sunday when the cut off point would be 10pm.

However residents objected, having already had to put up with noise while the building is redeveloped and the former church hall next door is converted to affordable homes.

Some had been unable to sit outside because of the noise from building work. John Onions, of Northumberland Street, told the hearing: “Our garden adjoins the church area. Our garden is only about six metres away from the church building.

“We are concerned about any excessive noise perhaps when we are sitting in the garden in the summer.

“We have never had problems in the past but are concerned we might in future.” Fellow objector Colin Shrimpton, of Argyle Place, expressed disappointment that the church had not given more serious consideration to residents’ revised proposals.

The sub-committee heard that legislation means the church does not need a licence for the worship area but that its application covered the whole building.

It emerged that the council’s enforcement officers are looking into whether the church needs to seek planning permission for change of use of the premises to an entertainment venue following a request from Mr Binyon.

But the sub-committee was told it only had to deal with the licensing application.

Rev Grindrod-Helmn said: “It is not being turned into an entertainment venue, it is not being turned into a multiplex cinema or a pub or a dance hall. It is a church and unfortunately a church these days needs a licence.

“We would like the chance to get started and we hope that through measures we have offered we will be able to live in peace with the community.”

Residents were reminded that the licence can be reviewed by the council if there is excessive noise from the church in future.