A NEW community hall in Newhall has been granted permission to operate late into the evening amid claims it will become a ‘glorified pub attracting the wrong type of people’. But Harlow Council have taken into account the concerns of residents by reducing the hours of Old Red Barn that had been asked for initially reports the Local Democracy Reporter.

Harlow Licensing Committee sat on Wednesday night.

The three Harlow councillors heard representations from two members of Newhall Projects. Sat next to them was David Beverley, a director of New Ground Cafe.

Three Newhall residents who live very close to the Old Red Barn made representations to the authority.

Residents living nearby the historic barn that has been repurposed into an oak-framed community hall operated by Newhall Residents Association (NRA) worried that a new licence will cause unwanted disturbance to the area.

The Newhall Community Centre – developed as part of 2,000 new homes at the Newhall development, have been granted permission to open until 11pm Sunday to Thursday and midnight Friday and Saturday – an hour earlier for those two days than it had been applied for.

Alcohol will not be allowed to be served before 4pm Monday to Friday. The plans have generated significant opposition from nearby residents who argue they go beyond the venue’s intended use for daytime and early evening activities within the centre of a quiet residential development.

One submission said they worry the venue will generate antisocial behaviour and trouble. They said: “The venue will become a ‘glorified’ pub attracting the wrong type of people who just want to get drunk and watch football all day.”

They added: “The houses in Meadow Lane are situated extremely close to the venue and any music and noise will be heard and will adversely effect local residents, late night serving of alcohol will only exacerbate this problem.”

The venue says alcohol will not be on sale all day, but it still needs to make money; otherwise, it will increase the financial burden on residents. However, this will be done with consideration for the licence, the venue’s needs, and local residents.

A statement in response to residents’ concerns adds: ”The Old Red Barn needs flexibility within its licence to permit a wider scope for functions. In line with the relevant planning obligations placed upon Newhall Projects Ltd and the Newhall Residents Association. It is currently intended that there will be a visual display of upcoming events in the reception area.

“There will also be a calendar of events on the website too. Prior to the premises opening officially, dry run events will be conducted to test operating procedures for various eventualities such as karaoke, film nights etc. The results of these events will influence future decisions and risk assessing.”