A BID by a four-star hotel near Helensburgh to introduce outdoor drinking areas on its lawn and patio has been met with ‘alarm’ by residents.
The plans for the Rosslea Hall Hotel in Rhu will be considered by the Argyll and Bute licensing board on Tuesday, November 12.
Members of the board are being asked to consider two objections – one from Rhu and Shandon Community Council and one by a nearby resident.
It is also suggested by a licensing officer that a curfew is considered.
The two objecting parties have also commented with surprise that the 30-bedroom hotel has been awarded a capacity of over 700.
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Andrew Nicholson, vice-convener of the community council, said in his objection to the board: “A number of local residents have made representation to the Community Council about certain aspects of this particular application.
“There are three main causes for ‘alarm’ – the first being that of serving alcohol on the patio and garden.
“Secondly, the extended hours of functions. And finally, there seems to be an absolute horror at the capacity of 707 persons, and the question has arisen as to how this figure has been arrived at.
“I trust that these concerns will be addressed and taken note of when deliberating on the application and whether or not it should be approved.”
The second objection is from a Mr T.C. Lamb, whose home is immediately adjacent to the hotel and separated from the patio area by a low stone wall and slatted wooden fence.
Mr Lamb said: “In the last few years the nature of the business of the Rosslea Hall Hotel has changed very significantly, and much for the worse as far as all the neighbouring residential properties are concerned.
“The hotel is now principally marketed as a packaged ‘wedding and party venue’ whereas previously the hotel was a quiet residential hotel which only had the occasional function.
“Regrettably there can now be ‘three-wedding weekends’ with loud and lengthy functions on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of a single weekend.
“I would therefore like to object strongly to the variation being applied for regarding the consumption of alcohol to be permitted in ‘external drinking areas’ of this hotel. These areas abut directly onto my property.”
Mr Lamb’s representation then made reference to disputes over alleged noise, excessive use of fireworks, drunks fighting in the car park and other issues.
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He continued: “None of these failings suggest that the hotel is either well managed or that ‘external drinking’ is under any control at present.
“I was alarmed to discover that the hotel has somehow been awarded a capacity of 707. I cannot imagine how this figure was arrived at and this should be reviewed. The hotel is small (30 bedrooms) and has ‘real world’ parking available for, at most, 38 cars.
“I recognise that living next to a hotel, as I have done for 25 years, requires a flexible attitude to the noise, smells and inconveniences of living next to a commercial business.
“However, I do not think this gives the owners and managers of that commercial business carte blanche to ride roughshod over the law or the rights and interests of their neighbours.”
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A summary sheet prepared by a licensing standards officer [LSO] added: “The LSO has had a number of telephone calls from nearby neighbours of the property who have shown concern and sought clarification with regard to the actual activities which are to be added or amended, the main worry being the potential for additional noise and disturbance should any change be granted.
“The callers were reassured to note that the only change was to add outside drinking. The LSO informed the neighbours of board policy, with regard to the terminal hour for outside use.
“The neighbours asked if the board would consider implementation of policy in this regard and on their behalf.
“With reference to the foregoing, the board may wish to ensure a local condition in line with policy to insert a terminal hour for use, normally; 10pm adults and 8pm children and young persons.”
The Rosslea Hall Hotel has been contacted for comment.
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