A RECENTLY refurbished country hall will find out next week whether its application for a premises license has been successful.

The owners of Lartington Hall, in Lartington, near Barnard Castle, have applied to Durham County Council’s licensing department for the document, which, if granted, would enable the facility to serve alcohol on the premises, Monday to Sunday, from 11am to midnight.

It would also permit the hosting of live music indoors, Monday to Sunday, from noon to midnight; live music outdoors, Monday to Sunday, from noon to 6pm; the playing of recorded music indoors, Monday to Sunday, from 9am to 1am; the performance of dancing, from Monday to Sunday, from noon to midnight, indoors, but noon to 6pm, outdoors; and serve late night refreshments, indoors, Monday to Sunday, from 11pm to midnight.

Live music outdoors would be restricted to acoustic-only.

Three letters supporting Lartington Hall’s application were received from people living nearby, however four letters of objection were also submitted to the licensing department, mainly expressing concerns over excess noise and increased traffic using the facility.

Lartington Parish Council stated it would not object to the application but asked for residents’ concerns to be taken into account and a review of the license be undertaken in any instances of public nuisance or problems with noise.

The application stated: “We wish to pursue a license for the sale of alcohol for consumption within the hall and gardens only.

“We would envisage both amplified or acoustic music taking place in any area of the principal reception areas, as well as the gardened area to the rear of the hall.

“We would not allow music which involved the use of drums outside and would limit performances to the hours of between noon and 6pm.

“Subject to weather conditions, outside performances would be restricted to summer months.”

John and Shona Wilkes bought the house in 2010 and completed the first phase of its refurbishment earlier this year, which cost between £800,000 and £1m.

The facility has proved to be a popular wedding venue.

The application will be discussed when the county council’s licensing committee meets on Tuesday.