A HAWORTH pub has had its live music exemption taken away and restrictions placed upon it by Bradford Council following complaints from a neighbour.

The Mill Hey Brew House opened in October 2016 after a renovation following the 2015 Boxing Day Floods.

Since April 2017, complaints were made to Environmental Health by Jo Addy and her partner - who declined to give his first name - Mr West about levels of noise coming from music inside and outside the pub, including live charity music events, and from people in the street late at night. One other complaint was made by a resident in nearby Prince Street.

Jeanette Howarth, of Environmental Health, told the council’s Licensing Panel that officers made checks between July and August 2017, and said music could “clearly” be heard inside the couple’s property.

Music was also heard outside of licensed hours, being audible after 11pm, and windows and doors were also seen left open allowing noise to escape.

Licensee Neil Tomlinson was issued with an abatement notice for committing statutory nuisances.

Music continued to be played loudly and, and Ms Howarth reported Miss Addy said: “she felt like she was living in the city centre next to a nightclub”.

Miss Addy was visited again by an officer after complaining about noise from the pub during Haworth 1940s Weekend. After the pub was found to be in contravention of its abatement notice, it was told proceedings would be started against it.

Ms Howarth said: “The impression I got was they didn’t care as it was only one person making the complaints.”

Mr West said they had lived at their Mill Hey house for 17 years, and “have had issues with various landlords over the years”. He said: “They’re incapable of sticking by the rules. We can’t live with this situation as it’s affecting our health.”

Paul Jannetta, who helps organise the music festivals at the pub, appeared on behalf of Mr Tomlinson.

Mr Jannetta said: “I’m sorry it has got to this stage. We organise events to help young people get experience of playing in front of an audience, and to raise money for charities. They also bring tourists to Haworth and money into the local economy.”

He said windows had been opened due to this summer’s exceptionally hot weather, as people inside were struggling to breathe, but was asked by Cllr Paul Godwin why air conditioning had not been installed.

Lawyer Louise Blackwell, who lives nearby, said she was concerned removing the pub’s live music exemption because of nuisance would set a precedent.

The panel received 31 letters in support of the pub, but chairman Cllr Malcolm Slater said: “The live music exemption will be disapplied, and additional noise measures would be applied.”

The exemptions are: A noise limiting device at the pub; music can only be played between 9am and 11pm, or midnight on bank holidays; windows and doors must be kept closed; and external areas must be empty of patrons by 10pm, with signs installed telling people to leave the area.

Speaking after the panel meeting, Mr Tomlinson said: “I think the outcome is a fair one. We will be policing things better from now on, but as a business we can still continue to grow, and I’d like to say a big ‘thank you’ to all the customers who’ve supported us.”