Live bands will not be performing at Papa Jacques Cafe Bar in Broughty Ferry after an application to Dundee’s licensing board to allow them was withdrawn in the face of objections from neighbouring residents.
An application in the name of MFM Inns Ltd had been submitted seeking to add live bands to the local conditions of the licence plus variations of existing conditions to permit Sunday morning opening from 11am for the sale of alcohol and use of an outdoor drinking area.
Several letters of objection and a petition had been received from nearby residents complaining about problems of late-night noise disturbance.
Appearing in person at the board meeting on behalf of residents at 329 Brook Street, Dawn Wilson said they had experienced problems with noise from Papa Jacques over a number of years, meaning they had their sleep disturbed.
She said they feared that having live bands would lead to a substantial increase in noise.
Ms Wilson accepted that Brook Street was a mix of commercial and residential properties and said this helped to give the area a distinctive character but she and her fellow residents were concerned their wellbeing would be affected if the application was granted.
An agent for the applicants claimed any recent noise problems in the area did not emanate from Papa Jacques but from another licensed premises. He acknowledged there was a problem with noise pollution in the area but insisted it was not caused by Papa Jacques.
Councillor Ken Guild, who represents the Ferry ward, welcomed the withdrawal, pointing out there were a lot of residential properties in the area, including a sheltered housing complex.
The board unanimously approved the application without the live bands facility but chairman Rod Wallace asked that environmental health officers investigate noise issues in the area.
Also granted was an application by the Co-operative Food Group for a provisional off-sales licence for a new supermarket at 134 Lawers Drive in Broughty Ferry.
An application for a pavement cafe at the 4Js pub in Dundonald Street was also granted.