THE rowdy behaviour of some drinkers leaving a pub just metres from homes has meant a bid to host discos, live bands and karaoke at the premises was turned down.

There were fears that granting the newly-refurbished Tudor Arms, in Bushey Mill Lane, Watford, a public entertainment licence and a licence for karaoke would set a dangerous precedent for pubs in residential areas.

The applications were rejected by councillors at a meeting of the Planning And Licensing Committee on Tuesday night.

About 120 letters of objection were received by Watford Council, including a petition signed by 43 people living in nearby Tudor Drive, complaining of noise and disturbance created by patrons leaving the pub.

Revellers were often drunk, causing damage to property and cars and urinating in the street, they claimed.

Mr Paul Marshall, who has lived in the area for 16 years, said the pub was part of the community so most residents just put up with the noise.

But he added: "We object very strongly to anything which would see this increased and made worse.

"When vandalism takes place it is usually as a result of special evenings, a big entertainment, a match event evening. These licences would increase the potential for special evenings."

Inspector Paul Newell from Watford's community safety unit said although there were few problems inside the pub there was little, if anything, staff could do to control behaviour once patrons left the premises.

Members of the council's planning and licensing committee voted to reject the licences despite the fact the original application had been substantially modified.

Following a public meeting at the pub attended by about 60 residents, landlord Mr Gary Dempsey scaled down the hours in his application and then reduced them further to amount to normal opening hours.

Speaking on behalf of Mr Dempsey and brewers Punch Retail, Mr Richard Taylor argued the establishment was already permitted to host two live performers and music licences would in fact place tighter controls on the amount of noise generated.

He said they would allow the council to impose strict conditions on the pub to ensure it installed noise limiters, employed door staff, and disposed of glasses and bottles. If the pub was found to be in breach of these conditions, it would be liable for a £20,000 fine.

But committee members said they were not prepared to risk setting a precedent for applications from pubs in residential areas.