Newark and Sherwood District Council licensing hearing to discuss plans to re-open historic Kelham Hall

Part of a plan to re-open the historic Kelham Hall near Newark is set to be decided by councillors next week.

Newark and Sherwood District Council will determine whether to grant a new premise licence for The Renaissance at Kelham Hall.

The hall was previously the offices for the district council before the authority moved to a purpose-built site next to the town railway station.

The Victorian property, designed by celebrated architect Sir George Gilbert Scott, was sold to developer Jonathan Pass in 2017 for £4m.

The building and 52 acres of parkland was being booked for weddings and conferences before Mr Pass’ company went into liquidation this year.

A privately-owned commercial finance company took over the control of the hall’s financial affairs.

Now, it is set to re-open as The Renaissance, which will also hold weddings and events at the historic building.

The licence includes plays, recorded music, films and boxing, with supply of alcohol up to midnight on Sunday to Wednesday and up to 2am on Thursday to Saturday. It also wishes to open up to 4am on New Year’s Eve.

The previous licences for the hall lapsed as the licence holder went into liquidation in June 2021.

Some objections have been made to the licensing department.

Andrew Fereday, who lives close by, said: “The level of public nuisance has been significant under the previous licensing conditions, which limited the hours of operation to midnight.

“Therefore, extending the licensing hours to 2am and open to the public until 3am will only result in a significant increase in the level of public nuisance.”

Nathan Morrell, also living close by, also shared concerns about the opening hours.

He added: “I am a local resident and I feel that the noise, anti-social behaviour and parking nuisances will adversely affect my family and myself.

“I have lived here for 15 years and have experienced the disruption that late licensing hours have caused, keeping my children awake, affecting their mental health.”

The applicant said doors and windows would be kept closed when regulated entertainment was taking place.

There is also a CCTV system and capacity limits for each of the rooms.

The venue’s management told the Local Democracy Reporting Service it would be open for weddings and private events from spring next year.

It is currently open for bookings and for show rounds, which means viewing the venue.

A licensing hearing will be held on Monday, December 6, to determine if the licence is granted or refused.