The owner of a Herne Bay holiday park has defended plans to play amplified music at his caravan site - in the wake of heavy criticism from neighbours.

Scores of residents living near Hampton Bay Park fear the proposals “will make their lives a misery”, with one neighbour fearing they will no longer be able to “sit and hold a conversation” in their garden due to noise.

Yet business owner Barry Philpott says his proposals for the Whitstable Road site will not cause nuisance and that music will only be played indoors.

He is hoping to have an existing planning condition, which prevents amplified and live music being played at the park, reversed.

“It’ll only be played indoors, in a new bar we have created from an old garage,” Mr Philpott said.

“I’ve been in the professional music business since the age of 15 and am now 64. I’ve sorted sound levels at festivals, so I’d know more about it than anyone else around here.

“The bar opened in July this year and it’s all fully sound-proof.

“You’ve got to go through double doors to get in, so there won’t be a wave of noise coming out when you go in.

“Neighbours should be happy with the plan because the music will all be indoors. It’s a win-win for them.

“It’s not going to be regular like two or three times a week, just every now and then.”

The caravan park opened in 2015 and gained an alcohol licence earlier this year.

Lodging an objection against the plan to play live music, neighbour Margaret Smith said: “I retired here last year for peace and quiet, not a constant ‘disco’ from April to October.

'A lot of people have retired to these homes for the peace and quiet...'

“This is an area known for retirement and quietness, which is why I moved here.

“There is a pub in Hampton for alcohol consumption and music, which is in walking distance of the camp site.”

Fellow neighbour Jeanette Munn said: “I strongly object to this application. This is a quiet residential area. A lot of people have retired to these homes for the peace and quiet.

“The estate is fairly flat with lower level homes, so any noise carries a long way.

“I am already appalled that an alcohol licence has been granted. I urge for a reasonable decision against this application for the sake of all of the residents.”

Mr Philpott, who owns and manages the site, says business has been “phenomenal” in the past year due to more number of people holidaying in the UK.

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