By Sarah ChambersCOUNCILLORS rejected last night a controversial application for a public entertainments licence for a Leiston pub.Suffolk Coastal District Council's licensing and health committee said their main concern was the proximity of the Black Horse pub to a care home.

By Sarah Chambers

COUNCILLORS rejected last night a controversial application for a public entertainments licence for a Leiston pub.

Suffolk Coastal District Council's licensing and health committee said their main concern was the proximity of the Black Horse pub to a care home.

But the committee said it would be willing to look again at an application in six months' time and indicated they would like to see support from the owners of the High Street pub.

Making their decision, the committee also considered the history of the premises and objections from Suffolk police, Leiston Town Council and the district council's environmental services department.

Concerns were raised about potential noise nuisance and problems in the past when the pub had a public entertainments licence and large numbers of people had gathered there.

“It's the location of the premises that is one of the difficult areas,” said Inspector Ian Moore, of Suffolk police.

The application was made by Dieter Gellissen, a tenant, who took over running the Black Horse in February 2002 after the public entertainments licence lapsed.

He argued that under the terms of the licence, he would need doormen at the pub, which would improve security, and added the premises now had closed circuit television cameras both inside and outside.

“I ask you to give me a chance. Everyone else has been given a chance. My predecessors have been given a chance and they have not done an iota of what I have done to promote law and order,” said Mr Gellissen, a former soldier.

“Word is going out firstly that I don't tolerate trouble in my pub and secondly I will use the video evidence against them.”

Mr Gellissen argued the noise from the music would be no louder than at present when CD Roadshows were held and the only difference would be people would be able to dance.

The committee was told there had been no noise complaints to Suffolk Coastal District Council since he took over.

But the committee also heard that under previous management when the entertainments licence had been in place, there had been problems in the town.

sarah.chambers@eadt.co.uk