NFDC probes noise complaints at The Stag in Lyndhurst

A PUBLICAN is urging the community to support her business after it became at least the third pub this year to face investigation over noise complaints.

New Forest District Council said it is now probing noise levels at The Stag in Lyndhurst after receiving reports from several residents since May.

The Stag is the third pub in the area to be the subject of noise complaints in recent months, following the Forest Inn in Ashurst and The Crown in Everton, as reported in the A&T.

NFDC said music was allowed but it was required by law to investigate to prevent any “noise nuisance” for neighbours, and stressed it had not yet issued any formal orders against The Stag.

Landlord Maria Harris said she felt she has done everything in her power to abide by council rules.

“We’ve had some complaints but our live music shows are always over by 11.15pm,” Maria said.

“Following some past com-plaints we made adjustments which we feel are reasonable but the council’s rules are fluffy and we haven’t failed any noise checks, as such.

“I walk around with a decibel meter to monitor some of our live gigs and we never go above 75 decibels.

“I can tell you that the church bells are much louder than us and they peel twice a week.”

NFDC is having a meeting with Stag owner Greene King next week but Maria and her partner have not been invited.

Maria said all live music gigs at The Stag end by 10.15pm and the garden is fully closed by 11.15pm.

She pointed out that live music events can “triple” one night’s takings, allowing her to keep prices lower for customers throughout the year.

Maria is now urging people to write to NFDC’s environmental health department to show their support for the business.

Maria added: “We’ve not been told what the legal noise limits are so we stick to 75 decibels, but we don’t know what the complainants deem appropriate.

“That’s what I mean about the rules seeming fluffy.

“In the past the council has suggested closing the garden at 9pm; if I did that I would no longer have a viable business.”

An NFDC spokesperson said: “We have received noise complaints from a number of local residents about The Stag, dating from May 2022.

“As required by law, we’re investigating the complaints to determine whether the noise being complained about amounts to a statutory nuisance.

“We have to take into account the audibility and impact of the noise and the frequency and duration of events at the premises.

“We do this in order to consider if the noise unreasonably interferes with the use and enjoyment of the person’s property.

“We’re working with the premises, providing advice and guidance, to attempt to resolve the issues informally.

“No noise levels have been set for the pub to meet and no abatement notice has been served on The Stag.

“Further discussions have been organised with interested parties to try to support the pub in complying with the law.

“Music and events can still be held at The Stag in a manner that does not result in a noise nuisance for local residents.”