Planners say no to wedding reception plan for Old Alresford (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Planners say no to wedding reception plan for Old Alresford

2:43pm Monday 20th February 2012 in News By Joseph Curtis

A PLAN to use a home in Alresford as a venue for wedding receptions has been rejected by the city council.

Mike Hall proposed to host wedding receptions at his property in Colden Lane, Old Alresford up to six times a year.

But a condition of the proposal was that the receptions would be for weddings at next door St Mary’s Church, which raised concerns over parking.

Planning officers recommended refusal claiming too many cars would park in Colden Lane causing a noise nuisance.

But Mr Hall said guests could use the church’s parking spaces in an adjacent field and walk to the venue.

He said: “We carefully addressed the noise issue by moving amplified music into another room further away from neighbours. The parking objection is baffling since guests will have already parked at the church for the wedding. They only have to walk 30 metres from the church into the garden.”

But the planning committee rejected the proposal and said the parking field, which is owned by a third party, could be withdrawn from church use at any time.

Cllr Michael Read said: “There must be a legal agreement with the landowner to park there. Without that it could be withdrawn at any time. I will go along with our officer’s recommendations because parking is of primary importance.”