Venue bosses' screen U-turn

The owners of a new sport and entertainment complex near Oswestry have backed down over plans for an outdoor big screen and amplified outdoor music.The Venue will form part of the complex at the former Park Hall Stadium, also the home of Welsh football giants The New Saints.

A new, European-standard, artificial football pitch, is being built along with an entertainment complex.

This includes a large function room, restaurant, bar, children's play area and ten-pin bowling alley.

But a licensing application for The Venue has been opposed by people living near the complex concerned about the requested hours for entertainment of 7am-2am Sunday to Wednesday and until 4am Thursday to Saturday.

A petition and 94 letters of objection have been received by the council, which meets tomorrow to decide whether to grant a premises licence.

Residents fear that The Venue will lead to major noise nuisance and have been concerned over plans to extend the licence to outdoors.

They have said they do not want the complex to become a nightclub.

The licensing meeting, at 10am at Carreg Llwyd Church in Oswestry, will hear informal agreements have now been reached over many of the issues raised by residents.

Brian Johnson, Oswestry Borough Council environmental services manager, in his report to members of the licensing committee, said that following informal discussions, agreement had been reached that there would be no outside video screen and no amplified live or recorded music or speech outside.

His report says: "All outside activities will cease at 10pm or dusk whichever is earlier and alcohol sales from the garden servery will cease at 10pm."

Agreement is still to be reached on the permitted use and times of the patio area and more information was being gathered on sound insulation.

Because of legislation affecting sports grounds and sporting events The New Saints will have to ensure no alcohol is drunk within sight of the pitch.

Sale of alcohol in the function room will have to cease 15 minutes before kick-off.

By Sue Austin