THE OWNER of a Chulmleigh pub has withdrawn an application to stage live music after objections from nearby residents.

Local businessman Laurence Delamar, who owns the Globe Inn on Church Street, applied to North Devon Council for a live music licence in July this year.

Mr Delamar, who bought the pub in March, said he wanted to treat customers to calming, classical music played by a live pianist.

However, residents living near the pub said the licence would also grant permission for electrically amplified music which they felt would cause disturbance and excessive noise.

North Devon Council received 10 letters of objection to the application, including one from Roy and Anna Smith who also live on Church Street.

In the letter they said: "We consider it inappropriate for this establishment to have such a licence as it is situated in a close residential area.

"There is no sound proofing or double glazing in the Globe and whenever windows or the main door are opened there will be an increase in the volume of sound outside."

The council also received a letter of objection from the Reverend Roderick Withnell, rector at the parish church next to the pub.

In his letter Mr Withnell said: "The noise and litter are already becoming a problem.

"A series of picnic benches outside the premises encourages outside drinking and considerably add to the noise level.

"I have also witnessed my church grounds being used as a play park for young children while their parents drink outside the pub."

However last month Mr Delamar, who also owns the Red Lion pub in Chulmleigh, withdrew his application for a live music licence, a decision he said was a great shame for the village.

Mr Delamar said: "We are opening a period tea room at the Globe and all we wanted was to have a classical pianist play light music on a baby grand piano for a few hours in the afternoon.

"Some people seem to have taken this the wrong way and assume we want rock bands blaring out loud music at all hours. That's just not the case.

"The Globe was shut for almost a year and used to have a dubious and scruffy reputation.

"We have spent more than £150,000 refurbishing it to give something modern and different to the people of Chulmleigh. Sadly some people don't want it to be a pub at all."

North Devon Council's licensing sub-committee approved plans for the Globe Inn to open its restaurant and tea room at a meeting on Monday, September 6.