A CONTROVERSIAL application for a public entertainment licence at a Bedale pub was withdrawn at only 35 minutes' notice, Hambleton councillors were told on Wednesday.

Some members of the licensing committee had travelled to Northallerton from Coxwold and Stokesley prepared to hear both sides of the issue in considering the application from the Three Coopers in Emgate for an evening licence covering a disco and karaoke singers.

But when they assembled, they found there was nothing to discuss. Licensing officers had had a message saying the application was being dropped because of police objections.

Six neighbours had also objected, saying there had been problems with loud music in the past from the pub, which paid a £75 fee to have the application considered.

Cyril Dyke, head of corporate services at Hambleton, said objectors had already left for the meeting and had been intercepted on arrival at the council offices when it was learned that the application was being dropped.

Coun John Coulson, of Northallerton, said some other committee members had travelled considerable distances and asked why it had not been possible to hold the meeting with only a quorum of three.

Mr Dyke said it had been too late to cancel the meeting, it had not been possible to contact all committee members in time and, after discussions with the chairman, it had been decided to hold the meeting as arranged so that withdrawal of the application could be formally recorded.

Committee chairman Coun David Blades said afterwards: "I was not happy with such short notice, but if we hadn't gone ahead and if anything had come up in two or three years' time, there would have been nothing on the record. We would have been deemed not to have done our official duty.

"As it happened, we did have some business to discuss in private session.."

Mr Dyke said later that it was likely that the council would write to the Three Coopers about the lack of notice given to the committee. The question of refunding the £75 fee still had to be decided.

Jonathan Banks, who made the application for the pub, said later: "I was told the police were going to be lodging objections.

"I gave it a lot of thought and when it came to the day, I decided I was not going to go in there and argue with the police and the residents of Emgate. It was never my intention to mess anyone about."

Police licensing officer PC Kevin Suffield said a previous public entertainment licence granted to the pub in 1996 produced a string of complaints.

When it came up for renewal in 1997 there were nine letters of objection from residents and that application had not been granted.

PC Suffield said the pub had no soundproofing and residents already experienced noise from the Riverside Club at the other end of the street.