Pub wins approval after promising to be family-friendly

12:52pm Friday 5th September 2008

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A PUB'S plans to open an external bar to serve a family area in a backyard has won approval, despite objections from neighbours over possible noise.

Durham City Council's licensing committee granted a licence for the work at the Langley Moor Hotel in High Street, Langley Moor, after hearing that conditions would be implemented to reduce potential nuisance.

The Trust Inns-owned hostelry has been taken over by Tara Croker and Annette Smith, who plan to change it into a family-oriented pub that specialises in food.

Their application to install a hatch in a storeroom at the back of the building drew objections from neighbours.

Police and the city council's environmental health department also raised objections, but withdrew them after hearing that the publicans would amend plans.

One objector, Hayley Jones, of North Brancepeth Close, wrote saying that the quality of her family's life had changed for the worse since the pub had re-opened and was worried about her children hearing bad language from customers in the pub's beer garden.

But councillors heard how the new management was looking to make the pub more family-friendly.

Their lawyer, Chris Grunert, said that the area would be cleared after 10pm each night and that double fire doors, through which music could escape, would not be used as an exit. He said the new style of the pub was quiz nights and steak nights.

Ms Croker said she and Ms Smith were mothers themselves and did not want neighbours' children being woken up by noise.

Councillors heard that £12,000 had been spent upgrading the kitchen and more than £1,000 had been spent to "soften'' the yard.

Mr Grunert said the conditions also included installing CCTV inside and outside the pub, putting up signs reminding customers not to disturb neighbours. He said Ms Croker and Ms Smith wanted to develop the pub "in a considerate manner'' and provide an asset that is lacking in Langley Moor.