A POPULAR nightspot run by a Bradford councillor will be scrutinised by licensing chiefs next week after repeated claims it breaks sound emission rules.

The Octagon in Sandbeds, Keighley, was transformed from a defunct industrial unit into a thriving live music and entertainment venue by Bingley ward councillor John Pennington.

And he has already spent tens of thousands of pounds on acoustic double glazing and sound proofing to prevent late night music reaching houses on the other side of the busy road from East Riddlesden to Crossflatts.

However, persistent complaints by a minority of neighbours have now sparked a review of the situation at next week's Bradford Licensing Panel.

Four letters of complaint have been logged, but the report notes: "Noise monitoring undertaken by Council officers confirmed that noise from live and recorded music at The Octagon was audible in local residents' homes during the periods of monitoring.

"Although works to the roof and envelope of the building have been undertaken, music is still audible and reports suggest that the bass beat is pervading living rooms."

Environmental health technical officer Ian Farmer said in his report that while work had been done to improve the situation and an automatic sound limiter had been installed to cut the power if things got too loud, it was still the case that music could be heard.

One letter of complaint claimed that the level of noise was akin to "Bedlam."

The original licence for the unique eight-sided building was granted in 2010 and since then Cllr Pennington said he had done everything to satisfy the small number of regular complainants and the council's low sound emission levels.

"Firstly I spent some £40,000 on getting it soundproofed - if you filled this building with water, none would leak out it's so well sealed around every door and window," Cllr Pennington said.

"That alone cut the problem by 40 per cent," said the former Bradford night club owner.

"I have always run my businesses with a bit of conscience and the last thing one wants is to upset people.

"And proof of that is there are so few objectors.

"We've worked tirelessly and at great expense to satisfy everyone and this a great venue enjoyed by hundreds of people every weekend.

"We will overcome any difficulties and I am about to cover the whole roof - 480 square metres - in special sound absorbing material at a cost of another £18,000," he said.