A COMMUNITY hall has been granted a new licence following the death of a parish priest.

St Osmund Parish Hall continued hosting events that require a licence after father Geoffrey Hilton, who was the licence holder, died in 2017.

Volunteers who manage the centre were told to apply for a new licence after the council was made aware that activities were taking place at the hall without the correct licence in place.

Parish hall representatives asked for permission to serve alcohol, play live music and host other activities which require a licence until 11pm – an hour earlier than its previous licence allowed for.

However one objection was received from a neighbouring resident who said she can see and hear people outside the hall from her bedroom when events take place.

Fauziyah Bhanji of Long Lane presented councillors on the licensing sub-committee with a video showing from her property which faces one of the entrances.

She said: "My only concern is the live music. My concern is that I know live music will be happening.”

Mrs Bhanji also raised concerns about alcohol being consumed on the premises late at night and the disturbance that could cause.

Speaking on behalf of the parish hall, Paul Henocq told councillors that they should not put "significant weight" towards the video because cars and birds could be heard louder than the people at the parish hall.

He said: “Quite rightly she raised her concerns, but that’s one member of that community who has recently bought a house in the vicinity two years ago. That asset in the community has been licensed for a significantly longer period of time without any interventions.”

Mr Henocq told the committee that even though the last licence was dated October 2005, the previous licence, of which there are no records, was in place many years before.

The committee, which was chaired by former council leader Cliff Morris, decided to approve the application.

This means the hall can host plays, films, indoor sporting events, live music, recorded music and dance performances.

Any of these activities can place indoors between 11am and 11pm when alcohol can be served.