A DIRECTOR of a manor house refused permission to hold more functions there, following residents’ objections, is considering an appeal.

Oxford Programs Ltd, which owns Yarnton Manor Estate, hoped a permanent premises licence would be granted, enabling it to extend the number of licensable events from its existing limit of 12.

Some residents objected to the plans, which would have enabled the venue to serve alcohol and have live music until 3am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

They were concerned about noise from people attending events at the property, as well as antisocial behaviour.

Yarnton Manor had already been granted a temporary licence last month for a Winterwell Summer of 1967 Festival in August.

More than 80 people attended a Cherwell District Council sub-committee meeting last Tuesday at Exeter Hall in Kidlington, where the application was opposed by lawyer David Hinde, representing the Beautiful Yarnton residents’ group.

Councillors on the licensing sub-committee backed the residents, refusing the permanent licence application.

In a letter to Yarnton Manor owner George Humphreys, the council’s director of community and environment, Ian Davies, said: “The sub-committee found, based on the extensive evidence before it, that the grant of the application would be likely to undermine both the public nuisance and public safety licensing objectives.

“Public nuisance included noise and disturbance to local residents from licensable activity and also from people and vehicles coming and going.

“The sub-committee did not consider that the conditions proposed by the applicant in relation to noise were adequate.

“The panel considered it was appropriate for the promotion of the licensing objectives to refuse the application.”

Yarnton Manor director William Humphreys said he was “disappointed” by the outcome and was considering either an appeal or a re-application.

He said: “ It would have relieved us of the need to make a special ‘temporary event notice’ application every time we hold an end-of-session student graduation disco or a staff party, or hold a local wedding or academic conference.

“We are considering the decision with our legal team and may either appeal to the magistrates court or re-apply in slightly modified terms.”

Mr Hinde said he believed it would be “ill-advised” to appeal against the decision based upon the refused application.