RESIDENTS plagued by rowdy drinkers breathed a sigh of relief after an application for a pub entertainments licence was turned down.

Families and elderly people living near The Beaver, in Courtlands Drive, Watford, say they already have to put up with noisy and anti-social behaviour from revellers leaving the pub late at night.

They feared if a public entertainments licence to allow singing, dancing and music, was granted, the problems would increase.

Nearly 200 residents registered their objections, including 54 pensioners living in Hollytree House, a sheltered accommodation complex opposite the pub.

One householder, from nearby Ridge Lane, said: "I consider we have already suffered sufficient noise. particularly in the summer months, from the pub's customers sitting in the garden.

"Their loud conversations, shouting and screaming, frequently peppered with obscenities make life extremely unpleasant for anyone living nearby."

Others complained of drunken pub users urinating in the street, slamming car doors, fighting and dropping litter.

If granted, the licence would permit music and other forms of entertainment to continue until midnight from Thursday to Saturday, up to 11pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and up to10.30pm on Sundays.

Residents argued this would increase parking problems and congestion.

Members of Watford Council's environmental health and licensing committee voted to block the application at the meeting on Monday, October 8.

Councillor Keith Crout said: "The unanimous decision of the committee was to reject it, largely due to the fact that it is in an area surrounded by housing, and fronts Hollytree House where people are at a time in their life when they prefer things to be a bit quieter.

"I don't think the council had any option with the weight of local residents' objections."

He added: "We have asked our officers to investigate the problems that emerged from this, to see if there is anything we can do."

Pub manager Mr Kenneth Daniels refused to comment on the decision. When asked if he planned to appeal he said: "That's not up to me, that's up to the brewery."

A spokesman for Punch Retail, which operates The Beaver, said: "We have 21 days in which to appeal and as yet we are undecided as to what course of action we will take, if any."

October 10, 2001 20:02

Jo Stephenson