Extended licensing hours approved for Bredy Farm
The Burton Bradstock site wants 'greater flexibility', but neighbours objected
A West Dorset farm has had its live music and alcohol licencing hours extended, despite reservations from local residents.
Bredy Farm at Burton Bradstock asked for permission from Dorset Council for changes to its licence, allowing for events throughout the week.
The panel approved the licence, despite nine neighbours raising objection about noise.
Charlie Harris from the farm, famous for its cider festivals, told the meeting that he didn't intend to open his bar or have live music all the time, but he wanted more choice over when he could hold events.
There's still a limit of 28 days per year when activities can be held at the site, under the current developmental rights.
The new licence will add an hour during the day for live music and the later use of recorded music from Monday to Wednesday until just before midnight and until 2.00am on Thursdays.
Additional hours for alcohol sales will allow the bar to be open from 11.00am until 23.59pm on Tuesday and Wednesday and on Thursdays from 11.00am until 2.00am.
One objecting resident who attended the panel hearing, Robert Hawes described the farm as 'effectively an outdoor nightclub' at times, saying:
“If we can do something to keep the noise down, fine, but it’s not acceptable to have noise for so long into the early hours.
Conditions on the licence imposed by Dorset Council include safety checks for the stage before each event; the introduction of a supervision policy; a written health and safety policy covering the use of strobes, lasers and other special effects; and the use of registered door staff.
A noise management plan will also have to be submitted at least two months before the first outdoor event takes place each year, with sound tests undertaken when there has been any significant changes to the sound system or attenuation measures, or at least once every year.
The farm business say they've invested heavily in the site, including measures to help reduce the noise.