LATE night noise from a restaurant’s outdoor dining area would be “hugely detrimental” to neighbours, a councillor has warned.
After shutting up shop a few months ago, The Napier Arms in Woodford New Road has applied to change the old pub into a restaurant with a “raise rear patio, canopy and retractable roof to provide outdoor seating area”.
The planning application submitted to Redbridge Council on July 6 also asks permission for a two-bedroom first floor flat and an outdoor extractor fan.
But Church End Cllr Tom McLaren fears the outdoor seating area will mean endless sleepless nights for neighbouring houses.
He said: “Although it’s on a main road, it’s in a residential area in close proximity to lots of houses.
“If we were talking about a BBQ outside every once in a while it would be fine, but if people are outside being noisy until 10 or 11pm every night, it could be hugely detrimental to neighbouring residents.”
The Conservative councillor added that with a history of noise disturbance in South Woodford, most notably at notorious ex-nightclub Funky Mojoe, the council should be vigilant in ensuring noise is kept to a minimum.
He said: “We saw very tight restrictions imposed on La Sala in Woodford Bridge for this very reason.
“They can’t have outdoor noise passed 9 or 10pm. So I think given the location and nature of the Napier Arms site, it deserves a more thorough look by the regulatory committee, so we can nip it in the bud before it becomes an issue.”
Robert McKill, of nearby Fullers Road, Woodford Green echoed Cllr McLaren’s concerns, saying residents in Fullers and Derby Road “do not want a repeat of what happened with Funky Mojoe” and “opening hours should be restricted to avoid noise pollution.”
Redbridge Council has been contacted for comment.
Source: Guardian 21st July 2016
