I AM writing in response to your correspondent who is a neighbour of the Barracuda Bar, ( We were simply ignored , The Crow, May 10). I am sorry that the person feels that no one will help them, because that is what we are here to do. In the first place

I AM writing in response to your correspondent who is a neighbour of the Barracuda Bar, ("We were simply ignored", The Crow, May 10).

I am sorry that the person feels that no one will help them, because that is what we are here to do.

In the first place, when dealing with licensing applications North Herts District Council has to weigh up the interests of the business, its responsible customers, and its neighbours.

In the case of the Barracuda Bar licence, to reduce any noise nuisance a number of conditions have been set to limit the number of people allowed in the outdoor smoking area and to ensure that doors will prevent the noise escaping.

Should there be problems with noise and disturbance, the licence can be reviewed, as has already been done elsewhere in Royston.

Our environmental health officers will always be prepared to intervene if necessary.

The illuminated signs erected at the premises require advertisement consent and council planning officers contacted the manager of the premises and agents acting for the Barracuda Group the day after the signs were erected requesting that they be removed or an application for their retention be made to the district council.

The operators were advised, however, that permission would be unlikely to be granted for the signs. Having received no response within the required time period the planning department has started enforcement proceedings to remove the signs which may result in prosecution if the owners fail to comply.

At the Royston area committee on April 25, councillors gave their backing to the enforcement action. A retrospective advertisement consent application was received by the council on April 30 and will be determined in due course.

However, enforcement action is being continued with a view to removing the signage as soon as possible.

ANDREW GODMAN

Head of Housing and Environmental Health

North Hertfordshire District Council