A WEDDING reception venue near Petersfield has had its premises licence revoked after reports of noise and anti-social behaviour.

More than 60 Buriton residents applauded loudly when the decision was announced at a hearing in the Rose Room of Petersfield’s Festival Hall.

Bob Camping, owner of the Manor Barn venue next to St Mary’s Church in the village, has 21 days to appeal against the decision. If he doesn’t, it will close.

The meeting of East Hampshire District Council’s (EHDC) licensing sub-committee heard there had been problems with the Manor Barn site in the village since Mr Camping bought it in 2014.

In a statement he said: “I have taken the decision not to attend, as I have been presented by a list of conditions and restrictions that I cannot meet due to their cost. These ignore commercial reality.”

Members of Buriton Parish Council and St Mary’s, a barrister hired by residents, and engaged couples who had lost money booking the venue, spoke in favour of the licence being revoked.

Council licensing officer Gill Stevens said for two months from July 2014 the venue had run without a licence, as Mr Camping hadn’t transferred it from the previous owner.

She then said complaints increased and in November Mr Camping was told his licence was to be reviewed.

Soon after he decided to hold a black tie event but it was advertised as going on longer than was permitted.

He was advised to finish at the correct time, but said he would refund ticket money, call it a private party and ask for donations to cover costs.

Throughout the hearing council officers said they had no confidence that he would abide by any new conditions added to his licence.

EHDC solicitor Nick Leach said: “He was notified of the licence review in November, and the sub-committee is surprised that complaints continued after he heard of the review.

“One might have thought that it might have been a wake-up call, instead Mr Camping left a message telling a resident that the (black tie) event was ‘going to be noisy, very noisy.’

“The sub-committee considers that the appropriate action is to revoke the premises licence.”