John King comments: The 1st Clanfield Scout Group apply for an entertainment licence (without alcohol). East Hampshire Council's licensing department do their best to obstruct it.
No outdoor music allowed after 8:00pm. Indoor events to finish by 10:00pm. Not because of 'noise fears' but because of 'parking concerns'.
'There has been a Scout hut here for 60 years.'
In a submission to East Hampshire's licensing sub-committee, resident Louise LePage said: 'One of the reasons we bought our house in our lovely lane is because of its rural and quiet location.
'We did not envisage having to live 30 yards from a site that hosts parties and discos, the music for, and the vibrations from, which we would hear and feel.
'I note that parking at the Scouts' new premises appears to be fairly limited. Where would visitors to a disco or a play performance park?'
After hearing the concerns, councillors decided that no events could be held outside after 8pm and any events inside the building must end by 10pm.
Scout leaders said the hut will not be available for hire for parties between the ages of 12 and 24.
Jo Barden-Hernandez, head of legal services in East Hampshire, said: 'The committee took on board the objectors' comments and as a result reduced the time activities can be carried out outside the scout hut to 8pm and the time activities can be carried out inside to 10pm, which the committee felt was reasonable.'
Alan Burton, scout group chairman, said the vast majority of events would be children's birthday parties.