Solihull councillors who are to make a judgement on a new licence for The Mallard pub at Tidbury Green Farm have been told concerns of potential noise and anti-social behaviour were not supported by evidence.

The 300-year-old Tidbury Green Farm set up the watering hole in a former farmhouse after being granted a licence by the authority in 2020 – but it has not used it as the pub is yet to open.

The pub's solicitor and manager attended a meeting of Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council's (SMBC) licensing act panel tasked with making a decision.

At the start of the meeting it was clarified the pub now wants permission to sell alcohol daily between 9am and 11pm – a change from the current allowed hours of 10.30am to 11pm.

The applicant also wants to amend the licence to an approved layout plan – which has been submitted with the application to the council – that includes an external terrace area.

As the Local Democracy Reporting Service previously reported neighbour Keeley Fothergill submitted an objection to the council saying: "I am a local resident living approximately 500 yards from Tidbury Green Farm.

"I am particularly concerned about the cumulative effect of these changes and the potential impact on nearby residents.

"My family includes shift workers, meaning members of my household work different and sometimes unsocial hours and need to sleep during periods when most people would ordinarily be awake.

"Noise from the property is capable of travelling a considerable distance and materially affecting residents in the surrounding area.

"An outdoor drinking area has the potential to generate noise from conversations, raised voices, laughter, smoking-area activity, music and general customer activity."

But solicitor Heath Thomas representing applicant pub operator Brunning & Price, highlighted there had been no objection from responsible authorities and three neighbours had withdrawn their objections following discussions with them.

"When I look at the concerns it is one resident that has raised a representation," he said.

"The better way of putting it – they are perceived concerns, 'I think this will happen'.

"It's not supported by responsible authorities.

"There are sensible conditions here (on the licence), a sensible operator and powers that exist if they don't do what they say they are going to do."

Phoebe Ploegarts, the manager of the pub, described concerns as a "storm in a teacup" adding: "It's just an idea that if things get out of hand it could become really noisy and crazy – but you can say that about anything.

"It won't because we won't allow it."

Panel member Cllr Alan Wigley asked questions about the outside area including capacity.

"In the courtyard there is a maximum of 50 – realistic its about 30," the manager replied.

"If there were that many sitting outside (at 10pm) I'd bring them inside. That's too many at that time."

And the solicitor added: "Ultimately they just want to be good neighbours because we want these people (to use the pub)."

At the end of the meeting chairman of the panel Cllr Bob Grinsell said the panel would make their verdict in private before it would be published.

The options available to councillors on the panel are to:

• Grant the application as applied for
• Add conditions on to the licence
• Restrict licensable activities and/or the authorised timings of those activities on the licence
• Refuse the application

The meeting was held at the Civic Suite on September 29.