Residents in Caerphilly town centre are opposing a bar's plans to expand its outdoor area, citing noise disturbances and claims of people urinating and vomiting in nearby bushes. The objections were raised at a Caerphilly county borough council planning committee meeting, which is considering an application from Rosita's cafe and bar co-owner Martin Rees for an amended outdoor area including a new marquee.
Residents voice concerns over noise and behaviour
Rosita's, which opened last year at the former Coffi Vista site on the Twyn, offers prime views of the town's historic castle. It serves food during the day and becomes a "hub for dancing and drinks" in the evening. The new application would allow live and recorded music indoors until 1am, with licensable activities such as drinking and music outdoors until 11pm.
Resident Kim Newbury challenged Mr Rees' claims that the bar already followed strict policies on noise and entry cut-offs. She said: "I'm woken up nearly every Friday and Saturday night by the noise from your premises or from people spilling out from your premises." She also claimed some people were urinating or vomiting in nearby bushes, adding: "I've been living here for 40 years and I've never experienced it as badly."
Council officers weigh evidence
Another resident, Julie Prosser, said she was "not against Rosita's" and had lived in the area for 37 years "without any complaints about any business". However, she claimed the business had shifted from its original advertisements of a "relaxed all-day dining experience" into a nightclub-like venue every weekend, and questioned why complaints had not shown a link to statutory nuisance.
Environmental health officer Lee-Anthony Carpenter said his team had received complaints about Rosita's but had not been able to establish a statutory nuisance when attending neighbours' homes. "You need first-hand officer evidence," he explained. "We have to be able to prove [it] beyond reasonable doubt – that's why it requires officers to come out."
Decision pending
Council licensing manager Lee Morgan said the plans initially met resistance from council officers, but Mr Rees had agreed to an amended proposal. Licensing officer Sandra Lewis-Williams said the proposed licence would create "more enforceable and robust" rules for Rosita's, which could be "acted upon in the event that the conditions are not met".
Mr Rees acknowledged the "strength of feeling" from residents but said he was "on the front line" trying to manage noise levels, including checking sound levels from residential areas, and wanted to be "a good neighbour". The committee retired to consider the evidence and will publish its decision within five working days.
