The historic Borough Hall in Greenwich could have its licence to host events severely curtailed after noise complaints – only 11 months after it was granted the licence in the first place.
Greenwich Council sold the venue to a developer, Lita Homes, for £2.4 million nearly two years ago after a failed attempt to lease it to a theatre company.
In January, another company, Eden Group Operations, won a licence until 11pm on most nights, and 12.30am on Saturdays, after complaints from neighbours who objected to its original plans to stay open until 1am three nights a week.
But now Pat Slattery, a Labour councillor, has called for the licence to be suspended for three months after complaints about noise from visitors leaving the venue, noise leaking out of the building and disturbance from loading and unloading after events. She also said bins were frequently left overflowing.
Slattery has also called for the venue’s licence to be cut back to 9pm, and extended to 11pm on only two Saturdays each month. She also wants a specific noise limit, a decibel limiter to be installed and parking marshals to be employed.
The call for the licence to be reviewed follows two mediation meetings between residents and the venue’s management.
Thirteen residents have supported the review, with some complaining of large groups shouting and slamming car doors as late as 2am. But 23 people have written to support the venue, including some residents who say there is no problem, and people whose children attend dance classes in the venue.
“During and after late-night events, residents are disturbed by patrons leaving the venue. This includes large groups talking and shouting in the street, car doors slamming, engines revving, and vehicles moving in the early hours of the morning,” Slattery said in her application..”On occasion, this behaviour has been intimidating to residents. This activity regularly disturbs the sleep and peaceful enjoyment of their homes, including families with young children.
“It is important to state that residents do not object to the premises in principle. The quieter, daytime activities such as the dance school and community coffee mornings are welcomed as a positive contribution to the local area. The issues detailed in this application are specifically linked to the management and operation of the evening and late-night events.A number of residents have stated that the ongoing problems are compromising their well-being and mental health.”
A report from a council licensing officer who visited the venue on a number of occasions reported early issues with noise and parking which seemed to have been ironed out later on. He noted on one visit that “staff are concerned that their every move is being filmed by a neighbour from a first-floor flat opposite the entrance to the hall”.
The art deco Borough Hall – which contains two halls – opened in 1939 as part of the old Metropolitan Borough of Greenwich’s town hall. Most of the building was sold in 1973 as an office block, now known as Meridian House, but the modern-day Greenwich Council held onto the halls as an entertainment venue.
Greenwich Dance used the venue as its home from 1993 to 2018, after which the building was left empty. Since it was last in use, flats have been built opposite the Borough Hall, with new council housing built close by.
In March last year, councillors approved plans to turn Meridian House into 80 flats, although final approval was only given by council officers last month. Lita Homes said last year that it was exploring plans to turn the Borough Hall into a hotel.
The licensing hearing will take place on December 8.
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