Pinchington Hall application to become wedding venue refused by West Berkshire Council

A BID to change Pinchington Hall in Crookham from residential use to a wedding venue has been refused by West Berkshire Council.

The application was refused on September 2 on the grounds that the nature of holding weddings and events at the hall is “not considered to be compatible with the character of the area, given the proximity to the neighbouring properties.”

The past month has seen neighbours raising concerns over the noise levels emitted from the venue.

Resident Mike Bloomfield has lived in the area for 23 years and said he is about 300 metres away from the hall.

He said: “I didn’t think anyone would want to put a party venue next to family homes.

“We should not be putting party events where people will make noise, get excited and at times get drunk.”

Mr Bloomfield reported that the venue has been used as "an Airbnb" as well as a "rap music video location".

Nigel Bryant said he had also been subjected to noise and disturbance from the hall.

He said: “There are always large groups of young adults, they are there to party.

“Sometimes you can hear guests, they are drunk having breakfast at five in the morning.

“It can be very unsettling.”

Phoenix Apartments owns the building and has responded to concerns.

It said that attempts to arrange meetings with local neighbours have been “met with resistance”.

Pheonix Apartments director Linda Beechey-Smith said: “There have been two wedding receptions held at the hall, one last summer operating under Covid restrictions and one last month.

“It should be noted that they were receptions only, as we do not hold a wedding licence.

“The house has been hired privately on two occasions by film companies for small scenes for a music video.”

Ms Beechey-Smith added: “We hold a premises licence and have so far not held any licensable events but do operate strict house rules and these are also underpinned by regulations through Airbnb.”