Despite an objection by a community council, an alcohol licence application for a country house near Talybont-on-Usk has been approved by Powys councillors.

A meeting of Powys County Council’s Licensing sub-committee was held on Monday, July 6, to consider the application for Aberclydach House at Aber, near Talybont-on-Usk.

Nepali Village UK wants to be able to sell alcohol from 11am to 11pm daily from Sunday to Thursday, 11am to 12pm on Friday and Saturday, and from 11am to 2am on Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and bank holiday weekends.

The original application had included live music and the performance of dance – but Nick Semper of The Licensing Guys, on behalf of the applicants, said this had been removed from the proposal.

Licensing officer Alistair Bray told the committee that Dyfed-Powys Police, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Environmental Protection and Trading Standards had no objections to the application.

Mr Bray said: “Bannau Brycheiniog National Park planning authority advised that the relevant planning consents would not permit the licensable activities proposed within the application to be carried out lawfully.”

Mr Bray explained that this would mean a delay in issuing the licence from September 1 to December 1, to “allow time” for the planning issues to be resolved.

Mr Bray continued: “The application can still be granted as planning issues are deemed to be outside the licensing objectives.

“We received an objection to the application on the grounds of public nuisance from Talybont-on-Usk Community Council. In addition, correspondence from 12 local residents was received who raised concerns but did not wish to formally object.”

He explained that objecting would have meant they would have been “required to attend the hearing.”

“The nature of the concerns raised by the residents were covered by the community council objection,” said Mr Bray.

He added that concessions made by the applicant to stop serving alcohol, live music and dancing at 10.30pm had been rejected by the Talybont council due to an “absence of clarity.”

Mr Semper said: “Aberclydach House has been acquired by an organisation which plans its conversion into a hotel and retreat to be run by former Gurkha soldiers and their families.”

He explained that the premises licence holder would be former army officer Major Khusiman Gurung.

Mr Semper continued: “He is now a successful businessman and restaurateur with a history of impeccable premises management within our county.

“Both he and his organisation have no intention of running any establishment which might prove to be anything less than an asset to the local community.

“This will not be a party venue, and excessive vertical drinking is neither encouraged nor welcomed.”

He said that granting the licence would allow visitors to drink alcohol while having food.

Mr Semper added that there is not a “shred of evidence” to back up the objection, and that it was based on “fear and speculation” about what could go wrong there.

Mr Semper said that if any issues did arise, the licence could be brought back before the committee to be reviewed and potentially revoked.

Talybont-on-Usk Community Councillor Simon McLellan said: “The applicant simply stating that this is not going to be a party venue doesn’t provide clarity for the community council.

“We ask that the licensed activities at this location are proportionate and that safeguards are provided to protect existing residents and protect the qualities that make Aber attractive for visitors.

“Even though the application has been significantly modified, we’re still concerned about the licensing objective to prevent public nuisance.”

The sub-committee, which was chaired by Cllr Huw Williams (Labour – Abercrâf and Ystradgynlais) and included Cllrs Deb Edwards (Powys Independents – Llangunllo with Norton) and Lauren D’Silva (Liberal Democrat – Llandrindod South), then retired to deliberate.

Upon their return, Cllr Williams handed over to committee solicitor Rachel Mole to deliver the verdict.

Ms Mole said: “Having considered the proposed revised operating schedule, they consider that it sufficiently mitigates any issues raised and that it adheres to the licensing objectives.

“They accept the plans as proposed, with the reduced licensable area and a defined outdoor consumption area.”

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She added that a letter explaining the decision in full would be sent to all parties.