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Camden New Journal - by CHARLOTTE CHAMBERS
Published: 25 October 2007

Neighbours’ bid to silence pub falls on deaf ears at Town Hall

A “VILLAGE” pub was roundly praised by Town Hall officials when they met to review its licence.
Two neighbours had complained about noise caused by the Dartmouth Arms in York Rise, Highgate, but a review hearing by councillors last Wednesday heard that Camden’s noise abatement officers had not found any problems. They visited the pub on 52 occasions during the past year.
Licensing panel chairman Councillor Phil Thompson said he didn’t think the review should ever have been brought before councillors, describing the bar as “a village pub that’s valued locally”. He said he was also swayed by the 10 people who wrote in to support the pub, calling the number “highly unusual”.
The neighbours who brought the review, Alison Beacher and Sally Griffin, had complained that the pub’s customers played rowdy games of football in their street, Bellgate Mews, which adjoins the pub. They said sports games broadcast from the pub’s television and loud pub quizzes had also contributed to wrecking their peace.
But their complaints were queried by the panel after another neighbour, who lives closer to the pub, praised the Dartmouth.
Ms Beacher said: “We have tried to talk to the licensee over the years. Unfortunately, all our requests have been ignored. We’ve tried meetings through Camden but all agreements were broken.”
Ms Griffin’s request to play a tape of noise emanating from the pub, which she claimed was recorded from her living room, was turned down after the panel ruled its origins could not be confirmed.
Landlord Nick May told the panel: “I’m on first-name terms with officials because of the number of times I’ve had to answer allegations.”
Councillors ruled that doors on one side of the pub should be closed at 9pm and signs must be put asking customers to be quiet.

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