A closed south Warwickshire hotel has been handed a boost by councillors as it prepares to reopen.

Wroxall Abbey has been granted a new premises licence by Warwick District Council, albeit with more restrictions on it than the Birmingham Road business had originally applied for.

The council's licensing and regulatory committee heard last week that applicant Adrian Cook is having the former manor house extensively refurbished so it can open with 48 rooms.

He hopes to host weddings and other events and turn Wroxall into a "destination hotel".

Originally Mr Cook had applied to sell alcohol and play music inside and out of the venue from 10am until 1am, seven days a week.

However, after a handful of objections from locals and from Environmental Health, he agreed to limit this to 11pm outside.

A noise management plan will also need to be completed and reviewed on an annual basis.

Speaking at last week's meeting, Mr Cook's representative said: "It was my client's intention to future proof by applying for a licence for seven days a week until 1am. 

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"It was never his intention to operate until 1am as a matter of routine, it was intended to give him the flexibility to operate and to do so when customer demand requires it, particularly as this is a new business."

However, these conditions were not enough for neighbours Leanne and James Poulson who attended the meeting to voice their concerns.

They asked for the venue to have its licence limited outside to just the weekends.

Mr Cook and his representative said this was not possible given clients may request a midweek wedding. However, he admitted these would likely be infrequent.

Mrs Poulson told the meeting: "We support the operation of Wroxall Abbey hotel and have no objection to a new premises licence. 

"Our concerns specifically relate to the extent of that licence based on the experience of noise from outdoor events operated at the hotel by previous leaseholders, and the potential for public nuisance. 

"We would ask you to consider restricting the licence days of operation for outdoor events to Friday and Saturday only. 

"This would ensure in particular events do not impact detrimentally on ours and our children's health by disturbing sleep on the days our children are at school and we are at work."

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The couple said they have been having issues with noise at Wroxall for 10 years.

In response, Mr Cook's representative added: "My client wishes to future proof the licence going forward. 

"It would not be his intention to run events every day of the week, but it would also not be appropriate to limit the days he can use a marque outside. 

"Client demands differ greatly in the current climate and this may well be of detriment to my client if he cannot undertake a wedding in a marque for example on a specific day of the week."

He did agree to give his personal phone number and email address to residents so they could raise concerns.

The hotel also intends to use a sophisticated sound system in the outside marquee to reduce noise to neighbours.

The restrictions on the days of the week were not agreed, and the business was granted the licence.

However, members, the applicant and the objector did agree to a new plan which stipulated exactly where outside the building the business could play music and sell alcohol.

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No reopening date for Wroxall - which has been closed again since last year - has been confirmed.w