Pembrokeshire County Council’s licensing department has been criticised by councillors in Tenby after objections they put forward to a licence application in the town were seemingly ‘mislaid’.

The application to vary the premises licence for Tenby United Rugby Football Club, was granted at a meeting of the authority’s licensing sub-committee, at County Hall in Haverfordwest last week.

The application submitted by the premises in Upper Frog Street, seeking an extension of its opening hours, was given the go-ahead, despite concerns raised by local councillors and nearby residents, over potential increase to noise disturbance and public nuisance caused by the outdoor drinking area.

The club will now be permitted to stay open until 1.30 am, during the week, and 2 am on a Friday and Saturday, allowing for the supply of alcohol up until 1 am and 1.30 am on Fridays and Saturdays, and 1 am for the rest of the week.

Speaking at Tuesday night’s meeting of the town council, the town clerk, Andrew Davies, explained that the objection to the licence extension was not an ‘attack’ on Tenby Rugby Club, but it was purely concerns regarding the impact the clubhouse proposals would have on a residential area.

Councillors had also agreed to oppose other variations to the licence, particularly a change in door management, as it could result in a potential increase in crime and disorder, contrary to licensing objectives.

The licence variations were granted, with the applicants volunteering to ensure that door staff monitored the outside beer garden area from 1 pm onwards on Saturdays, even though they were under no obligation to do so.

Mr. Davies explained that he was unable to raise the town council’s reasons for objecting to the application at the meeting, as unfortunately the documents had been ‘mislaid’ and it could not be proved that the objections had been received within the 28-day consultation period.

“It was the applicant’s own right to decline that our objections be put forward on the day,” he said.

“Proof of postage is not proof of receipt, and we need to consider this in the future, and back-up any hard copy sent with emails as well,” he added.

Deputy Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Christine Brown said that the matter was ‘disgusting’ and dreadful for the head of public protection at Pembrokeshire County Council to admit to the licensing sub-committee chairman at the meeting that the town council’s objections had been ‘mislaid’.

“I’m not saying the decision would have been any different, but it was embarrassing for the town clerk to have to sit there and be told that our objections could not be heard. We deserve an apology from PCC!

“The Rugby Club is not a ‘club’, neither is it a ‘function centre’ it’s a pub, and now many other pubs in Tenby will be questioning what they do with their door staff in light of this decision,” she added.

The Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Sue Lane, agreed.

“It is the same as any pub in Tenby, and it’s pretty scary if they can decide themselves at what times they are required to use door staff,” she commented.