Supporters of much-loved music venue speak out in debate over noise complaints

Supporters spoke out passionately about a much-loved village brewery, cafe and pub as they lost a battle for permission to play amplified music outdoors.

Customers and staff of the Old School Brewery in Warton packed into Morecambe Town Hall to speak in favour of their "valued community hub".

Councillors were debating whether to grant retrospective planning permission for the pub's outdoor seating area, where live music has been popular.

They agreed to do so, but with the condition of no amplified music outside, after a narrow 6-5 vote.

This came after some residents complained about the noise created by live music at the venue.

The Old School Brewery, known as the OSB, opened in Holly Bank Barn at the foot of Warton Crag in 2012.

As well as selling its own beer brewed on site, the OSB serves wines, cocktails, soft drinks, teas and coffees, and food.

Many supporters of the OSB (pictured below) spoke out praising its impact on the village, during the Lancaster City Council planning regulatory committee meeting at Morecambe Town Hall on Monday.

Poppy Brantley, who works at the OSB, said it has a "brilliant management team", "an outstanding reputation" and is a "valued community hub".

Emma Brantley-Tziros said the OSB was "the central heart of the village" and Warton has "immeasurably beneffited" since it opened.

Paul Edmondson, who lives opposite the OSB, said he'd recorded noise levels coming from the venue and said: "I personally don't have any concerns."

And Mark Warburton said the OSB was "important for local performers", said the "outside area became popular after Covid" and said the OSB was "putting Warton on the map".

Councillor Sue Tyldesley, ward councillor for Warton (pictured below), said the OSB was "much-needed and the only cafe in Warton".

But she said there had been "complaints over noise in 2022/23".

"This is a quiet rural village and residents should be able to sit outside and enjoy their gardens on a Sunday afternoon," said Councillor Tyldesley, a Green.

A Lancaster City Council report, published before the meeting, said: "The expansion of this business seeks consent to create a mixed use comprised of a microbrewery with expanded drinking establishment both inside and outside of the building

"The creation of an outdoor drinking space does have the potential to give rise to noise issues.

"The application has been submitted with a noise statement which took a recording on Sunday 5th May (bank holiday weekend). The recording took place when a performance was taking place and started from approximately 14:30 ending at 17:15.

"The LAeq level, which is the average sound level, indicated a 57.2db reading up which is slightly up from the 52.6 for ambient noise recording.

"Whilst the impacts and range of sound levels vary considerably and differ from person to person, dB level comparison charts vary but suggest sounds above 75 dB become unpleasant whilst anything above 85dB becomes harmful to the ear.

"The recording indicates that the level of sound almost entirely below this level excluding one incident which registered at around 90 dB.

"Notwithstanding the above information, the main objections from members of the public appear to relate to the noise impacts of the live performances."

In December 2023, the council sent a letter to the OSB warning them about the noise.

The report said that since then, "music levels have reduced and are now at an acceptable level" and "this is partly resulting from the performer (s) being inside the premises".

The retrospective planning application, which went in to the council after the outdoor seating area was created, was for "a mixed use microbrewery and drinking establishment with expanded food provision and retention of extensions to the south and west sides providing external seating and storage area".

The council received 278 letters of support, nine letters of objection and four letters neither supporting or objecting, said their report.

Council planning officers recommended that permission be granted, but with the condition of no amplified music outdoors.

On Monday at the town hall meeting, Councillor Alan Greenwell (pictured below) proposed that this be put to the vote, with Councillor Colin Hartley seconding.

During a debate, some councillors said they supported the OSB, but would not vote for the proposal unless the condition to ban amplified music outside was dropped.

Councillor Martin Gawith, of Labour (pictured below), said: "I think we're making a mountain out of a molehill.

"I believe what the people have told us. We've got businesses closing down across the country. I welcome businesses like the Old School Brewery."

Councillor Martin Bottoms, a Morecambe Bay Independent, said: "I would be more supportive of the application without the conditions.

"(They play music for) three hours on a Sunday. That would not cause me any concerns."

Councillor Sally Maddocks, a Green, said: "Local manufacturing is on the decline across the country. (The OSB) is bucking the trend. I see that they are taking measures to address the noise and it's better than it was in 2023. It's an impressive community hub."

But Councillor Colin Hartley, of Labour, said he was concerned about the "impact on residents in the village".

"(The recommendation) doesn't prevent music, just amplified music," he said.

"The applicant can come back to us with a solution that keeps the noise down to manageable levels and doesn't upset the neighbours."

Councillor Greenwell, a Liberal Democrat, said: "I think the community focus of this establishment is absolutely magnificent, it's wonderful."

And Councillor Bottoms quipped: "I think we're all moving to Warton now!"

Following a vote, the council agreed to accept the recommendation including the conditions, by six votes to five.

Councillors Louise Belcher, Joyce Pritchard, Jack Lenox, Dave Brookes, Colin Hartley and Alan Greenwell voted in favour, and Councillors Martin Bottoms, Paul Tynan, Phil Bradley, Martin Gawith and Sally Maddocks voted against. Keith Budden abstained. Sue Tyldesley did not vote as she had declared an interest as the Warton ward councillor.

Following the meeting, David Hall, representing the OSB, said: "As all the questions raised were about noise, and the officers struggled to answer them I wondered why the Environmental Health Officer on whose judgement they are relying wasn’t (there) to answer those questions.

"Furthermore the officers stated that no alternatives were put forward for them to consider. We’ve provided two noise reports demonstrating that the business can operate without causing a statutory nuisance.  

"The offer to install a cut off limiter for the outside music was offered from day one of the application but has consistently been ignored.

"Our feeling is the officers failed to properly consider all the information provided to them even though they have had the application for over six months."

During the meeting, council officers were asked about a noise limiter, and said the Environmental Health Team was "not convinced" this would be an acceptable solution.