A pub described as “the soul of the village” has been granted extended hours to sell alcohol and play music – despite neighbours’ noise complaints.

Some residents say The Crown Inn in Finglesham, near Deal, can be so loud that they end up “prisoners in one room” as they battle to get some sleep.

They have also had a soiled nappy and bottles thrown into their garden.

But supporters of the “vibrant” pub in The Street say it is frequented by more than half of Finglesham’s residents and disturbance is minimal.

Following a licensing sub-committee hearing held at Dover District Council’s (DDC) offices last week, bosses at The Crown insist they will keep the noise at a reasonable level.

Councillors agreed to changes which mean the pub will now be able to play music past midnight on every day of the week.

While four letters were sent to DDC in support of the scheme, three households objected.

Kevin Wright, in a written submission to the hearing, said: “When these events are so loud that they can be heard in every room bar one, it is not possible for any of us to get to sleep until they have finished and the ‘high-spirited guests’ have left.”

He said of last summer: “It was too noisy to be able to go to sleep, essentially causing myself and my family to become prisoners in one room.

“We have had bottles and discarded items in our back garden the next morning. We even had a soiled nappy thrown in.”

Karen-Jane Bowers, in her written submission, said: “The music was extremely loud. My daughter was unable to go to sleep until an event ended.”

Miss Bowers said it was so noisy her windows could not be opened and they were also disturbed by revellers at the end of the night standing and talking before they left and cars being driven out.

But mother-of-two Gail Tasker, who has lived opposite the pub for 17 years, told the sub-committee that while her family can hear the music, it does not disturb them.

She said: “It is not affecting my children’s ability to sleep. We have not had to change the way we live in our home. The pub is always well run.”

Neighbour Anthony Wells told councillors: “More than 50% of villagers attend the pub.”

He said the changes would help the ongoing success of the business, ensuring it stays as a resource for the community.

He understood that the managers wanted the extra hours to give the business more flexibility.

Christine Fitzpatrick’s written submission said: “Over the last two years, despite functions going on, we can honestly say that minimal disturbance has been experienced. The village needs to be vibrant and be successful – otherwise it will have no soul.”

Objectors had said that noise had come from a converted barn on the premises used for events during summer weekends. But they agreed that the level of sound came down and had become acceptable between September and December.

After the meeting on Wednesday, manager Michaela Hubble told KentOnline that a major source of the noise had been the front barn doors constantly being used by smokers coming in and out.

They are now asked to use the back.

“We are part of the village and we take into consideration everybody’s feelings,” she said.

“Hopefully villagers won’t have any worries now.

“We’re going to try to keep all the doors and windows shut and monitor the noise of leaving and going into the barn and the noise from the bands. We will keep it to a reasonable level. “

KentOnline visited Finglesham last week to get more villagers’ views.

Colin Hogben, who lives across the road from the pub, said of the extra hours: "I'm fine with it. You never even hear the music indoors. You have to go outside to hear it.

“Anyway, they're running a business and they have to make it work."

Neighbour Michael Tasker said: "It's no bother at all. They don't even have the music every weekend."

The bid to extend the hours was made by licensee Amy Beaney, who has been in charge of the pub since October 2022.

Councillors granted the application to finish Monday to Thursday alcohol sales at midnight instead of 11pm, as well as for music to be played up to an hour later, to 12.30am.

But a bid for music to stop an hour later on Sunday nights was rejected, so it must still cease at 12.01am.

Music for Friday and Saturday nights is allowed to continue up to 1am but the pub says it stops at midnight.