A PETITION to overturn Barnsley Council’s decision to refuse a pub’s plans to play music outdoors has garnered more than 500 signatures.
Bosses at The Pheasant in Monk Bretton applied to Barnsley Council to vary their licence 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.
Licensee Duane Etherington’s application received multiple objections from residents, who claimed the application will have a detrimental impact on noise levels.
Coun Steve Green, who represents the area, also spoke against the plans.
Duane said a sound limiting device would be used, which will activate ‘at a level prior to which any disturbance is caused to residents in the area’.
The council’s licensing board decided the proposals would ‘not satisfy concerns raised around uncontrolled noise, and would not support the licensing objective of prevention of public nuisance’.
The dismissed plans were met with disdain from a number of local residents including campaigner Rachel Stewart who set up a petition in support of the Pheasant.
It has already received more than 400 signatures of support and more than 100 people have signed it in the pub itself and it’s hoped the public uproar will change the minds of the council’s planning board.
Duane, who has owned the pub for almost four years, described the council’s decision as a kick in the teeth.
“There were eight objections against the plans and because of that they have revoked our varied licence appeal,” he said.
“I think people are confused as eight people objecting doesn’t compare to more than 500 people backing it.
“Other pubs around us are doing the same thing which is why it feels like a bit of a kick in the teeth.
“With everything that happened because of Covid we just want to get some more people into the pub that’s what this would have done.
“I’ve appealed the decision and I’ve got a date at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court on May 25 I’m going to have to defend myself on the day.”
Rachel said it would only be fair for Duane’s appeal to be successful given the circumstances - and added the council should work to keep pubs ‘alive’.
“I think it’s important that all our local pubs and clubs are given all the support possible to keep trading,” she said.
“I think it was unfair that the council refused The Pheasant’s music licence when other pubs only metres away can play their music outside without any issue.
“Monk Bretton has already lost the Butcher’s Arms and Sturdy Lads it’s crucial the community and the council work together to keep our local pubs alive.
“Allowing The Pheasant to play music outside this summer would really help Duane do that.
“I really hope that the council have a change of heart and his appeal is successful.