Residents object to permanent alcohol licence for converted farm barn in Doncaster village

Applicant Stephanie Lee wants to hold licensed activities throughout the year at The Barn on Bubup Hill, Loversall. The building is currently used as a wedding venue throughout the year.

The barn currently holds pre-planned events under a Temporary Events License (TEN). These have to be applied to the council in advance and a limited amount is available each year.

But the new application, if granted, would allow the barn to hold events whenever they wanted.

The plans received fierce objections from residents, owners of a nearby nursery and Loversall Parish Council.

In their submission to Doncaster Council's licensing department, they said the current application 'tantamount to licensing conditions of a pub'.

They raised concerns about an increase in drunken behaviour, noise and traffic through the village.

One resident said the area now 'resembles a pit village' and has seen people 'connected to the wedding venue having sex' outside.

Loversall Farm Day Nursery also objected but after discussions between the applicant and the, no alcohol will be sold between the hours of 7am and 6.15pm from Monday to Friday. They have since withdrawn their objection.

The outdoor marquee will also have to be taken down upon written request of the nursery if this impacts upon them during opening hours.

Spencer Morris was one of the residents who has objected to the plans.

He said: I am concerned about drunken/rowdy behaviour in the village, there is anecdotal evidence of litter and mess in the village after functions."

"I have a young family and events throughout the week into the evening will disrupt family life, noise pollution can be heard in the village when events are on. Loversall is a conservation area and this is not in keeping with the village."

Michael Mills also objected to the application.

He added: "Far from rejuvenating the social fabric of this village, [it] makes it less like the quintessential English village and more like the pit village [where] I lived when I first got married.

"I am certainly no snob but since the wedding venue opened there has been a serious of drunken behaviour near my house. Not to mention the noise.

"A few Saturdays ago I was out with my dog we're I watched two people whom I believe were connected to the wedding venue come to the house next door's Swedish timbers [where] there is a tall nook near the gate so can't be seen and what appeared to sound like they were having sex."

Councillors on the sub-licensing committee will decide on the application at a meeting on Tuesday, July 31.