A PUB has been told it can keep its outside area open despite a raft of frequent noise complaints from neighbours.

Members of Bracknell Forest Council’s planning committee met on Thursday, August 15, to discuss whether to allow the Admiral Cunningham pub in Priestwood to continue using it’s tented outside area. According to councillors, the venue's outside area can host up to 400 guests.

The issue was brought to the meeting by councillor Tricia Brown, who said she has dealt with noise complaints 'for years’ from neighbours, including people who reportedly live ‘a mile away’ from the premises.

One neighbour submitted an object to the council which said: “The pub already creates an incredibly loud environment, particularly at night, which consistently keeps me and my toddler awake."

Another local commented on the plans that pub customers overflow surrounding carparks, with some vehicles left overnight.

Owners of the business have submitted a noise mitigation assessment and plan to the council's planning committee, setting out how they would aim to reduce impact on surrounding properties. This includes a ‘traffic light system’ of events - with a ‘red’ event being the loudest and only taking place three times per year. These would also be in the autumn and winter period, when residents are most likely to have their windows closed. Neighbours would also be given a month’s notice of events.

Shane Levey from the Admiral Cunningham told the News: “We are delighted to get planning permission for our stretch tents approved. They have been in situ for more than four years and are an essential part of our business.”

The manager said that in February 2024 the owners worked with a consultant to monitor noise levels to ‘ensure compliance’ with Bracknell Forest Council, allowing for the installation of a noise limiting system that ‘meets the agreed levels, ensuring minimal disruption to the surrounding area’.

Mr Levey added that the pub, which has run since 1996, is ‘committed to being a good local family business’, and to ‘find solutions that benefit everyone’. This will include consistent dialogue with neighbours, with a hotline installed so locals can report live issues which will be fixed ‘as a matter of urgency’.

In the planning meeting, councillor Naheed Ejaz argued that the noise management plan ‘doesn’t really add up’, as tents would presumably be used more in the summer period.

Despite concerns, councillors voted for approval, on the condition of the noise mitigation plans.

Councillor Ejaz suggested that members attended a ‘red’ coded event to hear the noise level for themselves.

Officers also noted that if there were further complaints from neighbours, they would be handled swiftly.