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Cooling Castle Barn decision in dispute with Jools Holland

By: KentOnline reporter multimediadesk@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 22:00, 16 March 2018

Updated: 22:01, 16 March 2018

An award-winning venue involved in a noise dispute with celebrity neighbour Jools Holland has had restrictions placed on its licence.

But the owners of Cooling Castle Barn said tonight they were pleased with the outcome of the hearing and are relieved they can continue to trade.

Hootenanny host Jools and his wife Christabel, have lived in neighbouring Cooling Castle since 2002.

Jools Holland at Cooling church for English Churches

The couple – who married at the venue in 2005 – asked Medway Council to review the licence, citing issues with noise and anti-social behaviour such as some visitors “effectively” urinating on the “front door”.

A five-hour hearing took place on Tuesday, with the decision deferred until tonight.

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Members of the council panel have decided the venue will have to abide by a noise management policy, while a new smoking area will have to close one hour before closing time - with no drinks permitted in the area.

Cooling Castle Barn

Guests of Cooling Castle Barn will no longer be able to access the garden or outside area after 10pm on Sundays-Thursdays, and 10.30pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

But despite the new restrictions, Cooling Castle Barn owner and general manager Rebecca Collins, said she was happy with the outcome.

She added: "We're looking forward to getting back to business and to doing what we do best, putting on weddings and helping people enjoy their very special day.”

During Tuesday's hearing, panel members were played recordings of noise coming from the venue.

Representing the Holland family, Leo Charalambides said: “This happens 320 days a year – the same songs, the same cheers, the same jeering, the same drunken fights, the swearing, (and) the abuse.

Jools Holland

“It starts with deliveries in the morning and it doesn’t end when the party finishes at 11pm – it continues with the people that stay behind, the stragglers, with the people in overnight accommodation, and now they want an outside smoking area. They have had enough.”

Suggestions mooted by the Holland team included limiting access to the gardens, seasonal restrictions, having event stewards at all times, and banning licensed activity – such as live entertainment or selling alcohol – two days every week.

In a statement issued before the decision, Mr Holland said: “This is simply about containing noise and disturbance, which I’m sure can be resolved so we can all move forward together as good neighbours.”

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