A pensioner who lives next to a building which is to open as a cocktail bar and restaurant says he fears any noise from the premises will be his “complete ruination” and he has “no wish to finish my days in torture”, writes LDR Reporter Lee Trewhela.

However, the bar owner has pointed out that the complainant already lives next door to a large pub and other licensed premises. The applicant says they have no intention of the new bar becoming a music venue and will adhere to all noise conditions.

Cornwall Council has received a licence application from Latin-themed cocktail bar Chachacha’s, which will be based in the Engravers Cottage, Arwenack Street, Falmouth to play recorded music until 11.30pm on Sunday to Thursday and to midnight on Friday and Saturday, and to sell alcohol until 11pm and 11.30pm on those days.

Darrell Needham, of Lower Quay Hill, has written to the council objecting to the licence for the bar, which will be based behind the popular Amanzi’s restaurant in the town.

He wrote: “Imagine my complete horror when I was informed yesterday afternoon that the Engraver’s Cottage was about to be developed as a music centre, bar and restaurant. Why have I not been informed about this before? This means my complete ruination as I live closer than anyone else. I should have been the first to be informed.

“My home is just a few feet behind the Engraver’s Cottage and therefore the most affected. It will be noisy, noisy, noisy from midday till very late. I have two flats in my house which will not be lettable and there is myself just above including my lounge, kitchen and my bedroom, so no sleep for anyone till the small hours. How can I possibly exist if this venture goes ahead?”

Mr Needham added: “I have lived here for over 50 years and I am an old man of 85 and have no wish to finish my days in torture. I already suffer noise from the businesses in Quay Street and I have to retreat to the Customs House Quay side of the home to avoid excess noise. Where will I go if I am being bombarded by noise from all angles? Indeed, where will my residential neighbours go to get away from the music, singing, shouting and loud talking late at night?”

The applicant, Ms Biddle, refuted Mr Needham’s contention it would be a ‘music venue’ saying the application was just to play background music.

The bar owner wrote to the council saying: “The music won’t affect surrounding areas as I know this isn’t allowed [and] would cause complaints. I also agreed with the environment health officer to keep to a dB [decibels] reading which she recommended so not to affect surrounding flats.

“I believe the person concerned lives next to a large pub the Chainlocker, also he and his wife have a building complex they own and let out two premises. One is a burrito bar takeaway on Quay Hill and one is a restaurant with an alcohol licence with recorded music.

“There are around ten licensed premises within 50 metres of their flat and complex. Most importantly I intend to run the business responsibly so not to affect people who live nearby. I also intend to employ six people and add a professionally run business to the harbour.”

Falmouth Town Council supports the licence application. A decision will be made by a Cornwall Council licensing committee on Wednesday, January 31.