Wedding venue told to restrict garden use following noise nuisance complaints

Two residents of The Orchards, whose gardens border the garden area of Oakwood Hall Hotel, in Lady Lane, Bingley, had asked for the regulation of evening entertainment in the garden area during weddings and events, almost weekly during the summer months, because of the noise.

Susan Hardaker, one of the residents, spoke at Bradford Area Licensing Panel, on Wednesday, where a review of a premises licence for the hall was being heard.

“All we ask for is a bit of respect. We don’t want to stop the hall having weddings but we can’t enjoy our own gardens because people are shouting, swearing and being rowdy late into the night. There are also doors open into the venue which we have phoned up about on numerous occasions, even at 1am. Staff have said they would go and close the doors,” she said.

“Our gardens are only short and there is only a tall hedge which is bare at the bottom between us and the guests. We just ask that in the evening guests are asked to go inside so they get to enjoy some garden time in the afternoon and we get to enjoy our gardens peacefully in the evening. Our daughter has her window triple glazed because she can’t sleep for the noise.”

Oakwood Hall Hotel owner Simon Brassington said he had asked other residents their views and there had been no complaints.

“Telling people they could not use the garden could mean a 20 per cent drop in bookings. It could close the hotel,” he said.

Residents had contacted Ian Farmer, Bradford Council environmental health officer, who suggested limiting the permitted use of the garden area was the most practical way to address the matter.

In reviewing the licence, panel chairman Councillor Malcolm Slater said: “The consumption of alcohol and food in the external area of the licensed premises will not be allowed after 8pm, and external doors where entertainment is taking place shall remain closed, other than for normal access and egress.”