A Stevenage “vibe restaurant” has been granted permission to open an outdoor bar.

Tranquil Turtle in Symonds Green will be allowed to serve drinks at the supervised bar until 10.30pm according to its new licence conditions, which were approved at a meeting on Friday, March 10.

The licensing committee at Stevenage Borough Council heard neighbours are “in distress” as a result of noise at the restaurant, which was formerly the Crooked Billet pub.

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But business owner Bradley Kelly told councillors he has learnt lessons from previous noisy events, and added he would like to work with Symonds Green residents to resolve the complaints.

In making its decision, the committee heard from neighbours who agreed they wanted to see Tranquil Turtle flourish, if the restaurant staff can resolve noise levels in the area.

Speaking at the committee, Sunni Palmer said: “If you approve [a licence for an outdoor bar] you will subject us to a summer of misery.”

The Comet: The licensing committee at Stevenage Borough Council approved the change to Tranquil Turtle's licence The licensing committee at Stevenage Borough Council approved the change to Tranquil Turtle's licence (Image: Will Durrant)

Mr Palmer warned of “false promises” and said he fears a new management plan would not help if one is already in place and not being followed.

During the debate, councillors asked the Tranquil Turtle team whether the type of music is a factor in causing a nuisance through heavy bass noise.

Mr Palmer said: “We are not concerned about the types of music they play, but the volume they play it at.”

Mr Kelly and his solicitor Piers Warne agreed that the level of noise and nuisance at an Ibiza music event on August 7, 2022 was unacceptable.

Mr Warne told the committee Mr Kelly is “new to the game” and had taken on the pub as a punter at the former Crooked Billet.

Mr Kelly said he has invested £900,000 in the business – which opened in December 2021 – and has not yet clawed back all of his investment.

The pair said the Tranquil Turtle team is considering the types of music which it plays, and told committee the outdoor bar is not designed as an attraction in and of itself.

Instead, the outdoor bar is set to provide a facility for existing restaurant-goers, reduce “pinch points” such as a set of double doors which could be closed more often to limit noise, and put members of staff outside to increase the number of locations which are supervised.

Mr Kelly said: “The bar will support the success of the business, appeal to the community, and could be used to raise awareness of and money for charities.”

The pair suggested that conditions of the outdoor bar licence should require bar staff to keep a log of complaints and the actions they take to resolve them, and keep the lobby doors shut when they are not needed for access.

“I do not think anyone should be criticised for trying something new like Mr Kelly has,” Mr Warne said.

“You wouldn’t have a single pub in a town centre if noise was the only licensing test.”

He urged neighbours to give Tranquil Turtle the opportunity to make improvements during its second summer in Symonds Green.

“We know we will be judged on this summer,” Mr Warne admitted.

Committee chair Councillor Maureen McKay accepted some of the residents’ complaints “come down to a matter of taste”.

                                                                                                      

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Setting out the committee’s decision, she said: “The law favours the applicant.

This committee has heard loud and clear from the residents. It is very clear that the noise coming from the Tranquil Turtle is and continues to be distressing to local people.

“We have also heard from the [operator] about management plans.

“This is solely a request to vary the existing licence, that is what this committee must decide.

“We will put Tranquil Turtle on notice that we will be monitoring the complaints over the summer.

“If Stevenage Borough Council receives a valid request from a resident or residents, or a responsible authority we will review the licence [in line with existing rules].”