A MEETING of the Mid Devon Licensing Sub Committee will be held at the council's offices at Tiverton on Thursday, August 20 to discuss an application to vary the premises licence for the White Swan, Crediton.

An application has been made to the council by Creative Inns Ltd, owners of the White Swan, to change the closing time of the outside space from 10 pm to 1 am and to remove from the licence a component which states: "To prevent entertainment being intrusive noise emanating from the premises will not be clearly audible one metre from the facade of the nearest residential property."

Currently the White Swan has a licence that allows the premises to be open from 9 am until 1 am from Monday to Sunday.

The sale of alcohol is allowed from 10am until 12.30am with a range of regulated entertainment within those times but with earlier finishing times for live music.

The application explains that to the right of the premises, when standing in the High Street, is an archway providing access and standing area which is roofed.

This area is designated as "the outside drinking area." Under the licence this area is closed at 10pm. The first part of the application seeks to vary the closing time to 1 am.

The second part seeks removal of the words "to prevent entertainment from being intrusive noise from the premises clearly audible one metre from the facade of the nearest residential property."

The applicant has also applied for the provision of late night refreshment, hot food and drink after 11pm until 1am inside and out.

The applicant has agreed to install CCTV and lighting to cover the outside area.

An objection to the variation of the licence has been lodged by Environmental Health objecting to the proposed use of the outside area and to the removal of the entertainment noise condition

At the time of announcing the licensing meeting Mid Devon had received six representations from interested parties, five of whom live in nearby properties and an owner who rents out an adjacent property.

The representations complain about existing problems with disturbance from the White Swan and are concerned that later use of the outside area will make the situation worse.

The hearing will be held in the Exe Room at Mid Devon Council's offices at Phoenix House, Tiverton, starting at 2.30pm.