VILLAGERS in Goring and Streatley have raised concerns over a newly refurbished hotel and its noisy guests.

The Swan, which is currently being refurbished, will re-launch this summer. Its owners recently applied to extend the bar’s licensed opening hours until 1am.

Live music until 2am, both in and outdoors, was also part of the application. However, this caused many of the Swan’s neighbours to worry about how loud the hotel would be.

Ben Warner, who lives nearby, said: “We moved here from London to come somewhere beautiful, charming, quiet and tranquil. But I could hear that music so loud, it was booming across the river.”

Alan Law, the ward councillor for Streatley, said: “The nature of these premises is going to be changing dramatically. I’ve never before seen such a storm of protest in Goring and Streatley. It’s a very sensitive, tranquil area.”

Following talks with the police and the local community, the hotel agreed to withdraw the application to play live music, and will only play recorded music inside.

Thomas O’Maoileoin, a lawyer for the Swan, said: “The original application in February was too generous and ambitious. In hindsight we should have liaised with the parish council and local residents.

“It became apparent very quickly that there were a lot of concerns. We needed to change the application and we did so very quickly. Substantial changes have been made with the best intentions.”

Other pubs in Goring and Streatley shut at 11pm, leading to fears that people would then head to the Swan. But Mr O’Maoileoin said the bar could run a strict no entry policy after 11pm, to allay those fears.

The original inn building dates back to the 17th century, while the south wing used to a stable block in the 16th century.

The licence application was considered on Thursday, April 4, by West Berkshire Council, which will decide to grant or refuse the licence within five working days.