'Come over to The Dockside': Bar business denies claims they will host 'parties' and cause excessive noise for residents

The Dockside, as the boozer will be known if granted an alcohol licence, intends to serve customers between 10am and 11pm every day of the week.

The idea drew objections from some local residents, including one who said close neighbours would have to live with persistently high levels of noise.

But the business behind the proposals, Allied London, told a licensing hearing on Monday that the bar was "proportionate and appropriate" for the area.

They'd already abandoned plans to stay open until 1am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights in response to concerns.

However, objector Steve Taylor told the hearing that nearby residents would still "suffer noise nuisance at all times of the day".

Mr Taylor, who has lived at Leeds Dock for eight years and whose property lies just 30 metres above the proposed venue, said: "The proposed premises will be open throughout the day and large parties would cause significant noise nuisance.

"The external area has approximately 100 seats. I'd put forward that 100 patrons outside would cause a significant amount of noise, just through general chatting and the kind of lively activity you'd expect in a bar or restaurant."

Mr Taylor also claimed Allied London had not consulted with residents before making the application to Leeds City Council.

In response, the company indicated Covid restrictions had made that impossible when they submitted the required paperwork in April.

They also said they'd repeatedly invited objectors to a virtual meeting to discuss their concerns, but that some had not responded to that request.

Allied London's solicitor, Rebecca Ingram, added: "There's a bit of a misconception here.

"This is a premises that's going to be open until 11pm. It's not for large parties. It's for community events, for residents inside and outside the area to come down, to eat, have a drink and maybe take part in a quiz night.

"We're not talking about large scale events or anything along those lines."

"We cannot say no-one is ever going to hear anything from this premises. It isn't going to be completely silent, but we'd submit that it will be proportionate in this locality and it won't be a nuisance."

Councillor Jessica Lennox, who chaired the hearing, said the local authority would consider all points made and that a decision would be confirmed in writing within five working days.

Local Democracy Reporting Service