A BEACH front pub has been given permission for live amplified music to be performed in its beer garden.

Teignbridge councillors on Monday morning unanimously granted a variation to the premises licence for the Ferry Boat Inn in Shaldon to allow amplified music to be performed in their beer garden that overlooks the golden sands of the beach next to the River Teign.

Non-amplified music is already permitted in the beer garden, but the licensing sub-committee heard that it ‘doesn’t work’ as no-one can hear the artists performing.

The committee agreed to vary the licence to enable the performances of live amplified music be permitted up to 12 times per year in the outside beer garden, with the performances having to be every other week.

Matt Ford, the premises supervisor for the Ferry Boat Inn, told the committee that there are numerous local businesses in the area who are allowed to do what he was asking for, and that the clientele he would be targeting would be families to enjoy quiet amplified music.

He added that music would be played for three hours maximum on a Sunday afternoon, saying: ‘We don’t want a party atmosphere out there.’

The committee heard that there had been 30 representations received in support of the application, saying that the live music is an integral part of the village life and would have a ‘once in a generation’ chance to support the cultural, social and economic value of live music.

There had been 28 representations received on the grounds of Public Nuisance from some neighbours saying that granting the variation would be detrimental to the enjoyment of their homes and gardens, would be intrusive, and while they accepted the noise during the Water Carnival, they did not want it to become a year-round activity.

But the committee unanimously agreed to vary the premises licence at their virtual meeting on Monday morning, with a limit on 12 events a year, with a sound limiter set at a level agreed by Environmental Health and with the pub to look at putting suitable entertainment in the garden, such as quieter duos and trios that don’t use drum kits to help prevent any disturbances to local residents.