THE Wheatsheaf pub in Calne has been granted a renewed entertainment licence despite complaints about the noise from residents and nearby St Mary's School.

Landlady Linda Elms has been ordered by North Wiltshire District Council's environmental health department to come up with plans for a soundproofing scheme in the next six weeks as a condition attached to the licence.

Wiltshire Fire Brigade also found that the fire alarm system was inadequate.

Mrs Elms said complaints about the noise had been going on for three years and she had done everything she could to minimise the disruption to neighbours and, in particular, the school.

Senior environmental health officer Peter Colley was called in by Calne Town Council to undertake noise level tests last month in order to assess the disruption at the boarding school and disturbance to residents.

Mr Colley found noise levels were unacceptable and suggested if a licence was renewed it should be for three months only, during which time officers could monitor the situation.

Mr Colley said: "There is a clear problem with the noise from the function room at the rear of the Wheatsheaf Inn due to both the nature of the structure of this building, window openings and the passage of people to and from the garden area.

"In view of the concerns expressed about the noise issue which was substantiated by the officers, the renewed licence should be for a period of three months."

Members of North Wiltshire District Council's Calne area committee decided to renew the licence for six months.

Mrs Elms said she was relieved at the decision.

"I'm just pleased that we sorted it out.

"I don't want to go into it because it's done and dusted, but we have had these complaints for more than three years."

She added: "We have already undertaken quite a lot of soundproofing at the back, and since we've had these problems we've had hardly any music events."

Mrs Elms said the pub provided live music for private parties and functions and a disco at weekends.

"As far as the school is concerned there's only one or two people it actually affects," she said.

Alison Martin, bursar of St Mary's School, said: "The school is very happy with the result of the decision.

"The special conditions attached to the public entertainment licence should ensure that the school and our neighbours are both able to conduct our business to best effect."