A PREMISES licence has been granted to a previously flood-hit Haddington restaurant, despite noise concerns from a handful of neighbours.

Ann Kinnoch, from the town’s Waterloo Bistro, was awarded the licence. The premises has been operating on occasional licences since re-opening following flood damage sustained in 2012.

Both the police and the council’s licensing standards officer praised the way that the restaurant had been run and did not object to the application, although they did highlight that it was contrary to the board’s policy concerning a perceived overprovision of licensed premises.

Caroline Wade, a nearby resident, objected to the proposals, sending a letter to the licensing board.

She had lived in a flat in close proximity to the restaurant since 2000 and the premises, she said, had changed from a “fine-dining restaurant”.

“Whilst I accept that the business has altered, some of the practices have become intolerable to me,” she said.

“The noise levels are now completely unacceptable, particularly in the summer when I am unable to have my windows open without being bombarded with the noise of voices, music and general hubbub until the early hours of the morning.” Brian Steele, who owns one of the nearby flats, was unable to attend the meeting but had also sent in a letter.

He was in favour of a licence being renewed but said the hours should be restricted to 11pm each night and parking should be restricted too.

He said: “My elderly and infirm neighbours suffer from enough noise thanks to kitchen equipment noise and vibration during the day.

“I think it is therefore too much to ask to effectively convert the once genteel restaurant into a rowdy night spot.” Ann’s husband Paul Kinnoch spoke on behalf of the restaurant at the meeting and told councillors they as proprietors “always took on board any issues from any residents” and said they did their “upmost to resolve the issues”.

That included moving equipment from the cellar to the front of the building in a bid to avoid any disturbance. He stressed that any music was only “background music”.

Mr Kinnoch, who is also the vice-chairman of the local business association, said: “We ask the board to look favourably on issuing a premises license to the Waterloo Bistro.

“This is not an application for a new business but to continue a well-run business with a replacement licence.

“If not issued, it would result in it closing and the loss of 14 jobs.” Councillors agreed unanimously to support Mrs Kinnoch’s application.

Councillor Willie Innes, council leader, said: “I think the applicant has given enough evidence that he meets the licensing objectives.” He added that he had been surprised there had been no report from the council’s environmental health team about the noise complaints.

Councillor Shamin Akhtar agreed with Mr Innes and felt any issues between the parties were “resolvable”.

While Councillor Fraser McAllister described the issue as one that “was not so easy” to decide but felt they had come to the right decision.