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Jools Holland in dispute with Cooling Castle Barn over wedding venue's licence
16:50, 09 March 2018
A wedding venue could have its licence to sell alcohol and play loud music revoked in a dispute over noise with musician and television presenter Jools Holland.
Cooling Castle Barn, which has hosted weddings for almost 20 years, said it is facing an uncertain future after its long-running row with Mr Holland was taken to Medway Council.
On Tuesday, the council's licensing hearing panel will discuss an application by the TV star for the venue to have its licence reviewed on the grounds it regularly breaches regulations.
The Barn said the review was "very concerning" and that it had begun consulting with its 80 staff, many of whom were putting off spending plans while they await the decision.
More than 50 businesses, staff and villagers have written letters to the council backing the venue.
Mr Holland has lived in neighbouring Cooling Castle since 2002, having become its custodian in 1999.
He used the wedding venue's facilities next door to his home when he married his wife Christabel in the village in 2005.
Yet in a letter to Medway Council's environmental protection team leader Sarah Foster, Mr Holland said: "There are consistent disturbances every day from early in the morning until late at night."
He kept a diary of incidents from April to June last year, some of which he said "are directly in breach of the existing licensing conditions".
Mr Holland commissioned Ashford-based noise consultants MRL Acoustics to assess the impact of the noise.
In July last year, it concluded the noise impact "is not within acceptable limits" although it had improved compared to a previous assessment carried out in December 2014.
The formal review application, written by Paul Loasby, an "authorised agent of the Holland family", called for stricter noise restrictions and an obligation to lower noise levels, with no deliveries between 8am and midday.
It recommended caretakers or bouncers to be on the premises at all times when its accommodation is occupied "to monitor the conduct of residents at all times and in particular after the end of licensable activities and the official events".
Mr Loasby said: "Despite numerous letters, emails, texts, calls and meetings with the management the adverse impacts of the operation of Cooling Castle Barn continue to blight the lives of its nearest neighbours and adversely impact on the wider community.
"The management continue to seek the intensification of their operations, most recently by attempting to remove the condition which prohibits the use of outside areas after 11pm.
"This demonstrates a clear and patent disregard for the adverse impacts of their operation upon their neighbours and the promotion of their business over the promotion of licensing objectives.
"It is with regret that this application is now being made; the operation and attitude of Cooling Castle Barn leaves no alternative but to seek the formal assistance from the licensing authority."
Rebecca Collins, a director and general manager at Cooling Castle Barn, said: "It's very concerning. We have had to consult with all our staff.
"Losing the licence itself wouldn't shut us down but not being able to sell alcohol or play recorded or live music means we wouldn't be a successful wedding venue.
"It's a very worrying time for us all. There are members of staff putting off extensions or buying a new house."
The Barn, which was named Business of the Year at the 2017 Medway Business Awards, has an annual wage bill of about £1 million and spends about £200,000 with the Medway Registry Office.
Ms Collins said several companies in the region rely on business from weddings held at the site, including hotels, florists and drinks suppliers.
The council has received more than 50 letters of support for the Barn from nearby businesses ahead of the licensing meeting.
Ms Collins said: "People spend many more times what they spend with us in the local area. We have such a positive impact.
"He complained 15 days out of 100. He wants us to be silent. We do everything we can.
"Over time he's become less willing to live in an environment where there is a wedding venue next door.
"In his diary he says he can hear high heels walking up the path. I can't do anything about that.
"He's become so sensitive that any noise is too much noise" - Rebecca Collins
"He's become so sensitive that any noise is too much noise."
A spokesman for Mr Holland said: "I'm sure people will sympathise with their predicament.
They want to live quietly in their family home in peaceful surroundings just like anyone else.
"They are trying to lead a normal lifestyle in their house that they have lovingly restored over the years.
"Because of the increased impact on their lives, they would like to see the noise and disturbance properly and reasonably contained and the location of an outside smoking area dealt with, so it has minimum impact on the Hollands and their other immediate neighbours.
"During previous discussions with Cooling Castle Barn, the Hollands were told that the management could do no more to deal with the situation and if they were unhappy they should approach the council.
"They have reluctantly done so in the hope that the licensing authorities will clarify for the Hollands and the Barn what is reasonable in such circumstances.”
In a statement, Mr Holland added: "This is simply about containing noise and disturbance, which I'm sure can be resolved so we can all move forward together as good neighbours."
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