A CONWY vineyard’s bid to open later has been scuppered by licensing chiefs following noise complaints by local residents.

This afternoon, Conwy’s Licensing Sub-Committee discussed a bid by Gwinllan vineyard at Llangwstenin to extend its entertainment licence to 9am until 10.30pm

At present the premises, near Llandudno Junction, is permitted to open at 10am and close at 10pm.

But following several objections from local neighbours, licensing chiefs allowed the winery to open at 9am but denied permission to shut any later than the current 10pm due to noise complaints.

One neighbour told the meeting at Llandudno Town Hall that the facility had grown much larger than locals had ever anticipated, claiming they’d been led to believe that it would be a private vineyard.

But the applicant, Charlotte Bennett, said that it had always been intended to allow for public tours of the winery but that there was a maximum of 30 people allowed on site at one time, also dismissing claims that coach parties and hen parties were a common theme.

Claims that a boom box playing loud music had been used at the site were also dismissed by Mrs Bennett, who said that playing loud music was never an intention  at the facility which also hosts semi-regular wine and cheese evenings.

“The aim of the centre is to provide tours of the vineyard and to educate people about wine production, and it attracts decent people who don’t want to cause trouble at all,” she added.

But one of the objectors told decision makers, “If noise wasn’t a real concern, we wouldn’t be here today.

“We’re having to live with all this noise and traffic, a situation that will only get worse if the opening hours are extended. There’s no need for a later license at all.”

Addressing concerns over the increase in traffic, Mrs Bennett offered to keep a log of all vehicles visiting the site, that would be made available to county licensing officers at any time.

But Licencing Sub-Committee chair, Cllr Philip Evans, announced that the existing licence would remain largely intact, with the exception of being permitted to open an hour earlier than at present.

Only two of the three committee members were left to make a decision, however, after Cllr Bob Squire voluntarily stood down for the item after making what was deemed to be a prejudicial comment against the application.

Under the terms of the new licence, live and recorded music will only be permitted until 9pm

“We believe that the principle concern relates to noise which is the only feature that falls within our remit,” said Cllr Evans.

“Highways is an issue for another body.”

As a condition of the new licence, staff must also be trained to carry out frequent noise level tests with clear signs also notifying visitors of respecting neighbours when leaving the vineyard.

Cllr Evans also agreed with Mrs Bennett that a log book of all vehicle visits should be kept as part of the agreement.