Complaints about loud music, late-night noise, and anti-social behaviour from a Macclesfield pub have escalated into 'community tensions' because residents 'have been let down' by the council, police and brewery, councillors heard.

Cheshire East's licensing sub-committee was told on Tuesday, June 16, one woman whose house shares a party wall with The Dolphin on Windmill Street, moved out of her home for two consecutive nights because of the 'mental torture' and 'negative environment' caused by the pub.

"She has told the landlady time after time that the music is too loud, but she does not listen", said Claire Arrowsmith, who was speaking on behalf of the neighbour, Julie Pimblott.

"Whilst Julie understands the current landlady is running a business, this should not be at the detriment of Julie's happiness and wellbeing."

Another neighbour, Julie Arrowsmith, said she had lived near the pub for more than 40 years and never had reason to complain until Angela Hogg took over last year.

"Applying for a licence review has been the last resort," she told the committee, stressing none of the neighbours wanted the pub to close.

The meeting heard there were also incidents of fighting, vomiting in a neighbour's garden, arguing, and aggression.

The pub, which is in a residential street, is licensed to serve alcohol until 1am and stay open until 2am.

Neighbours say what started as a disagreement over three hours of opening and loud music has escalated into them feeling intimidated and threatened.

Natalie Hulley said: "The reason we're here today is not because there's a pub in our community, but because of the way it's now being operated and the impact that is having on the people that live around it."

She added: "What is most frustrating is that residents have reportedly sought help and spoken to Robinsons (Brewery), the council, the police, the anti-social behaviour team, and various other parts of the council, and too often it's felt like we're being passed from one organisation to the other without anybody really taking ownership of the problem.

"Residents have been let down."

Neighbour Miriam Stirniman said there had been a backlash against neighbours who had complained.

She said when a story about the hearing had appeared on a local news website someone had posted: "Find out who complained and let the boring f***ers have it."

"What has begun as a noise complaint has escalated into an issue of public safety and disorder affecting the mental health of everyone involved," she said.

But pub supporters disagreed.

Mike Hebblethwaite, of Macclesfield Modern Railway Group, who lives some distance from the pub, said his members often met at The Dolphin.

"We've held our AGM there and there have been occasions when functions have been taking place within the pub. They've not disrupted our meetings at all," he said.

Staff member Amy Bowerton said Ms Hogg insisted the jukebox, karaoke and live music stopped at 11pm.

"At 9.30pm a member of the team will go outside and make sure everyone comes in from the beer garden," she said.

This was disputed by neighbours.

Tim Shield, the solicitor representing Robinsons Brewery, told councillors: "There's lots of information and lots of allegations, and I think it would be fair to say tensions within the community, but you're dealing with the licence aspects."

He said: "It is not a nightclub. It does not have live music every night of the week. It does not have karaoke every night of the week."

But he said The Dolphin needed entertainment and its late-night licence to 'survive and thrive'.

"The police have made no representation in these proceedings," he said.

"If they had evidence of sufficient crime and disorder, or if I call it anti-social behaviour, then they would take action."

Mr Shield said from written representations submitted to committee – 13 backing the review and 59 supporting the pub, 'you can see that there are individual tensions between individuals'.

He said that couldn't be blamed on the pub.

"What you have throughout this bundle [of representations], unfortunately, are what you would call community tensions," he said.

Mr Shield said the brewery had addressed concerns raised in August last year [about loud music] and it suggested the committee impose additional conditions on the licence including the beer garden at the back to close at 11pm, no use of the external area at the front after 9.30pm and the implementation of a noise management/dispersal plan.

He added there had been no evidence submitted by environmental health officer Brenda Lomas of late-night rowdiness.

Clare Arrowsmith responded that just because licensing hadn't witnessed it, doesn't mean it isn't happening.

"Brenda hasn't been there at 2am in the morning, 3am, 4am," she said.

The committee retired and a decision will be published within the next five working days.