PUBLIC entertainment can go ahead at the Barge Inn at Honeystreet despite some strenuous opposition from neighbours wanting to preserve their rural idyll.

After hearing from licensee Adrian Potts, his solicitor Nick Davis and from four objectors, Kennet licensing committee on Tuesday granted the application with stringent conditions.

The application involved the canal-side pub and a marquee that is permanently erected in its garden.

Mr Potts said the previous public entertainment licence had expired in 1992 and he wanted to regularise the situation by having a licence to allow public events with entertainment to be held in the pub and marquee.

Alton Barnes parish councillors were concerned about entertainment in the pub garden but Mr Davis said the licence was for the pub and marquee only.

Councillors were worried about toilet facilities if large numbers of people were attracted to the pub.

In a letter they said: "The Barge Inn is situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty where people expect at all times to find tranquillity."

Councillors said recent events at the pub had been extremely noisy.

A number of residents voiced objections. Charles Fletcher who lives nearby said he objected to bands playing loud music in the marquee outside the pub.

He said: "This disturbs neighbours' quiet enjoyment of life because of the noise of loud music- and revving engines late at night."

At a solstice event he said there were more than 150 cars which made access to homes difficult.

A close neighbour, Charles Reiss, said his family had been disturbed by amplified music from the Barge.

Mr Reiss said: "I'd like to see the pub doing well and I don't want to be a killjoy but any pub needs to fit in with its environment."

Another neighbour, Dr Derek Calam, said he feared the noise problem would get worse if a PEL was granted.

Mr Davis said the pub had to make enough money in the summer to carry it through the winter.

He said consideration had to be given to people who worked in the countryside.

"It is an area that is not just a residential area but has a number of employment uses."

Mr Potts said he wanted a maximum of three events a year with amplified equipment in the marquee.

The licence was granted with conditions including all pub windows to be closed and locked when amplified entertainment was taking place; a maximum of three events a year in the marquee with amplification, and entertainment in the pub and marquee to be restricted to Fridays and Saturdays only up until 11pm.