Noise fears from customers if Cotswold restaurant built

Plans for the new building in the rear garden of the Dial House Hotel and Restaurant in Bourton-on-the-Water have sparked strong objections from villagers.

Dial House (Bourton) Limited wants permission from Cotswold District Council for the new single-storey building in the rear garden of the High Street property which would be used as a restaurant.

But nearby residents and Bourton’s parish council have objected amid concerns over the noise disturbance an increase in customers could lead to.

Wayne Harris, one of the objectors, said: ”I have no doubt that the applicant will be making the case for development as a catalyst for increased business within the village.

“Bourton-on-the-Water is however suffering from considerable ‘overtourism’ making the very character of the village that visitors come to see increasingly diminished.

“There are more than enough eateries and drinking establishments in the village without the addition of this pavilion; especially with it being so close to residential properties.”

He also went on to request the removal of the “wigwams” and temporary WC as soon as possible.

Another resident, Lorraine Banks, asked that planners visit the area in the evening to see just how quiet it actually is.

“Why also is yet another restaurant needed in a village that is saturated with eating places that struggle to attract staff?

“If this permission is granted, it would make me wonder what actually is the point of a conservation area if it can be so easily disregarded by owners who not only do not live in the village but do not even appear to live in the UK.

“The garden needs to be restored to what it is supposed to be, a garden that the residents of the hotel can enjoy and not destroy the peace and quiet of the surrounding properties.”

Andrew Jackson, another villager, said experience with previous proposals indicates that noise has been a considerable issue.

“We are apprehensive that the current plans may exacerbate this problem,” he said.

He went on to say that residents “find it unacceptable that the noise survey was conducted during the winter months”.

“The volume of music emanating from the premises is such that even our newly installed double glazing, intended to mitigate noise, has proven ineffective.”

And he added that “during warmer periods, the intrusive noise from the beer garden and, more recently, a monthly gathering of supercars on Sunday mornings, prevents us from enjoying our own garden in peace.

“We question whether a new building should be permitted merely metres from a listed building.”

While another nearby resident said they are “horrified” that there will be a service area “complete with bins, gravel, staff talking and apparently multiple compressors, how can this be allowed so near to my bedroom window”.

“When Maxi’s [Tipi Lounge at Dial House] was open I could hear the noise from there until late of an evening even with my window closed,” they said.

“The owners quite obviously do not care about the residents in the surrounding properties otherwise they would keep this garden as it was meant to be, a quiet area for hotel guests without destroying the surrounding properties amenities.

“It has been lovely not hearing guests swearing and singing drunkenly while Maxi’s has been closed, this is a quiet area of the village.”

And Fiona Formby, another resident also raised concerns over noise.

“We have all had to live with a huge amount of noise and disruption for many years now, while the Dial House evolves its offer,” she said.

“There is day noise, cars driving on gravel, people talking and shouting loudly as they do in this kind of environment and it continues into the evenings, only louder fuelled by alcohol.”

She said they hope the plans are rejected and “force them to remove the absolute eyesores still in place in what was a beautiful garden”.

Consultants working on behalf of the Dial House say the proposals seek to replace the previously approved temporary structure, and consolidate the existing temporary site facilities into a single high-quality pavilion.

They say the scale is appropriate for the site, and function of the building which will have a floor area of 162 square metres and a main dining space suitable for 40 covers.

It will contain a serving kitchen including a pizza oven, space for building services, and WC facilities.

The main kitchen in the Dial House will be the principal kitchen for both the hotel and pavilion so they won’t need commercial kitchen extract ventilation systems in the pavilion.

“The pavilion will be constructed from a limited pallet of high-quality materials,” the plans read.

“The walls to the front wing will be formed with Cotswold rubblestone back mortared, with an Ashlar stone plinth, and widow surrounds.”

The Dial House has been approached for further comment.

Planners are yet to decide the outcome of the proposals.