Pop-up Irish-themed pub event rejected by planners

The pop-up Irish-themed pub event saw several objections including from ward councillors in the area

Plans for a pop-up Irish-themed pub event for the Christmas period have been rejected.

The licensing sub-committee at Colchester City Council refused plans for the Molly O’Reillys event at the all-weather football pitch off Cowdray Avenue.

The event had been planned for 6 December-31 December, but planning documents showed there were 69 objections submitted.

Andy Grimsey, solicitor for applicant Live Tour Promotions Limited, told the meeting it did not "like to make people annoyed or angry" and had "enormous" experience running other events.

Martin Goss, Lib Dem councillor for Castle ward, told the meeting the event's location was the "biggest concern"

The meeting heard from one resident who broke down in tears explaining she cared for her husband with dementia and that loud noise was distressing for him.

While she said the event was a "great idea" she felt it was a "disaster waiting to happen", reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Mr Grimsey said some unpopular dates had been removed from the event to address concerns as well as that plans for karaoke had been removed.

Dave Harris, committee chairman and Labour councillor, said while the council was impressed by measures the applicant took to address residents' points, it was not enough to mitigate concerns over the event's location.