New Ely hotel wins right to party licence despite neighbours’ concerns
New Boutique Hotel at old Sanctuary Housing site - Credit: Archant
THE new boutique hotel set to open in Ely has been granted a licence to host parties and private functions, despite the protestations of neighbouring residents.
The Poet’s House Hotel, in St Mary’s Street, applied to East Cambridgeshire District Council for a licence to host weddings and parties and serve alcohol to patrons back in January, sparking a flurry of complaints from neighbours.
Those living nearby complained that hosting such events would result in their sleep being disturbed long into the night, causing their health to suffer and making their lives a misery.
The application was put before councillors on the council’s licensing committee on Monday and, after hearing representations from both sides, the three-strong panel voted unanimously to approve the licence, albeit with amended hours.
Councillor Andy Wright, said: “I think that given the fact that there have been mediation talks and looking at the conditions that planning has applied, together with the hours operated by other pubs and restaurants in the area, this is not excessive to what already happens.”
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Under the terms of its licence, the hotel will be able to play recorded music indoors until midnight, supply alcohol to the public until 1am and play live music until 11pm seven days a week.
Frank Readhead, who spoke on behalf of neighbours at the licensing committee said he was disappointed at the outcome.
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“The council are saying its not about prevention, they are saying they will just see how it goes, suck it and see, but the law says it should be about prevention rather than reaction.
“This may be the right place for a tourist hotel, but it is the wrong place for late night drinking and large wedding parties with loud noise bursting out into the night.
“The people who live here never imagined that the area could be blighted by pollution from noise, light and the smell of cigarette smoke, where there are laws to prevent it.”
Mr Readhead said he would consider referring the case to the ombudsmen.
