Noise limit proposal after pub neighbours complain

The Anchor Inn hosted a range of acts during this year's Sidmouth Folk Festival, but some neighbours complained it was too loud

A Devon pub could have a noise limit enforced after neighbours complained about the volume during a music festival.

The Anchor Inn, in Sidmouth, hosted a range of acts during this year's Sidmouth Folk Festival, but some complained the music was too loud.

Sound experts from East Devon District Council said there was "no evidence" of excessively loud music, but have suggested a potential maximum level for music in the pub's beer garden.

A 96 decibels limit - measured 1m (3 ft 3 inches) in front of a main stage speaker - should "strike a practical balance between enforcing appropriate noise controls and avoiding excessive restrictions on the premises", experts said in a report.

Councillors will decide on Wednesday whether to review the pub's performance licence and implement the limit, which would fall to around 70 decibels by the time it reached residents' windows, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Resident Steven Chalkley submitted the request for the pub's licence to be reviewed to prevent a "public nuisance", with eight other residents providing supporting statements.

But two residents provided written statements in support of the landlords, with a petition containing more than 60 names backing the business.

Landlords Trevor and Denise Fudge said the complaint came with "great sadness".

"As a very proud platinum sponsor of the Sidmouth Folk Festival, equating to an annual cost to the business of approximately £8,000 per annum, we have made every effort to mitigate these concerns in previous years," the pair said in a statement.