Plans for wedding venue in Plymouth approved
Neighbours had previously raised concerns about traffic and noise from the venue
Plans to allow a cliff-top home in Plymouth to be used for weddings and holidays have been approved with measures to protect nearby residents from noise and disturbance.
Neighbours living near St Anne’s House, off Jennycliff Lane, on the edge of Hooe, raised concerns about traffic and noise from the venue.
That led to a decision being deferred by the city council’s planning committee in October for negotiations with the owner about the use of the property by guests.
A series of rules to control noise and disturbance were included in a management plan which was one of the conditions applying to the use approved by councillors on Monday night.
The application from Neal Stoneman was to use the seven-bedroom listed building near Jennycliff Beach as a wedding venue and holiday accommodation.
The agreed management plan included details of a complaints procedure for neighbours to report concerns.
It said the site would have 24-hour security, guests would be issued with guidelines and serious breaches would result in them being asked to leave.
Windows on the east side would be locked shut when music was played indoors, and outside activity would end at 11pm.
Planning conditions approved by the committee included:
- all music and catering to take place between 10am and 11pm indoors only, with no fireworks allowed;
- no more than 30 guests and six staff allowed at any function;
- the number of weddings limited to 28 in a year;
- the use of the venue to be carried out in accordance with the agreed management plan.
Councillors were told that officers considered the application was acceptable with the conditions in place.
They heard that if the conditions were breached, the council could carry out enforcement action.
The meeting heard that Mr Stoneman had lost an appeal against an earlier refusal of an application to use the house as a holiday let and wedding venue with up to 100 guests, a marquee and portable toilets.
Plymstock Radford councillor Rebecca Smith, speaking on behalf of local residents in the nearest homes in Stamford Close, asked the committee to refuse the new application as the amendments to the proposals were still “unacceptable”.
She said the management plan was “not an adequate document” to deal with concerns about the impact of large groups using the house.
The councillor said locking the windows on the east side was “no guarantee” that noise would be prevented from the building and grounds, and there was no cut-off time for events inside.
Cllr Smith said previous events held without planning permission had caused “considerable disturbance” to local residents.
She quoted one who said leaving the main responsibility for controlling noise and nuisance on those renting the property was “absolutely unacceptable and unworkable”.
Steve Anderson, reading a statement on behalf of Mr Stoneman, said the new plan for 30 guests was a “huge difference” from the 100 guests and marquee in the earlier application.
Planning officers had considered parking, noise and other issues and had recommended approval subject to agreed conditions.
He said the properties on Stamford Close were separated from the house by a hedge, trees, footpath and grass verge.
Concerns raised by Cllr Smith at the last meeting about noise, parking and illegal events affecting the properties were disputed, and he denied allegations that St Anne’s House was the source of all the problems.
The statement said other venues in the area including St John’s Church, a Buddhist temple, the Fort Stamford Club, and the Hooe and Turnchapel Community Centre all offered parties and “many other noise-generating facilities”, and some were closer to Stamford Close than St Anne’s House.
Noise also came from Jennycliff car park, which was frequently used as a meeting place for young drivers and for overnight camper van parking, and the nearby Hooe Rangers Football Club ground, which had events with parties and sometimes fireworks.
The statement from Mr Stoneman said the property had been let using the Airbnb website and it was understood there had been no noise complaints about the site to the planning enforcement team or environmental health during the five years of his ownership.
He was at the site and unaware of any excessive noise on a weekend in October when Cllr Smith complained about a party during a stay by a group of essential workers from Border Force.
Mr Stoneman’s statement said he was happy to plant additional trees and bushes on the boundary with Stamford Close, and to ensure windows were kept locked during weddings as indicated in the management plan. Signs were already in place to warn visitors about the no left-turn on leaving the property, and about noise and hours of use.
He said: “I feel that I have done all I can to satisfy the varying demands during negotiations over the change of use application, but I’m happy to consider any reasonable demands.”
Councillors asked for officers to ensure that potential guests were made aware of the rules in the management plan at an early stage.
Committee chair Bill Stevens said he understood the concerns of residents, but he felt the committee had achieved a robust management plan that would satisfy the needs of everyone.
An iconic venue with fantastic view would come into use to generate revenue for the city, and the committee was putting in place “proper protection” for people living nearby.
Councillors heard at the October meeting that the nearest homes in Stamford Close were 45metres away and the council’s public protection team considered the conditions meant the noise level for neighbours would be acceptable.
Councillors were told then that there were potentially eight planning applications for retrospective permission which the owner had decided to submit.