WHILE a pub can be the heart of the community sometimes the relationship with neighbours breaks down.

Here are some of our recent stories about landlords and residents at war. 

The Black Swan in East Oxford came under fire earlier this month after landlord Barry Davies submitted a retrospective planning application for a shelter in the pub's garden.

Residents on nearby streets, as well as ward councillor Craig Simmons, were quick to oppose the plan, accusing the pub of being a 'nuisance' with loud music making homes 'uninhabitable'.

RECAP - 'The noise from this nuisance pub is making my house uninhabitable'

But Mr Davies had little sympathy for neighbours' concerns, saying the pub, which is off Cowley Road, is one of the quieter in the area and only has, at most, six events a year.

All comments must be submitted by March 1.

Oxford Mail: The North Star pub in Steventon. Picture by Richard CaveThe North Star pub in Steventon. Picture by Richard Cave

The North Star in Steventon, meanwhile, faced similar complaints last year -eventually losing its entertainment licence in September due to concerns over noise.

A Vale of White Horse council panel found it had allowed a Foo Fighters tribute act gig that was so loud that a couple living next door fled their house.

READ AGAIN: Pub stripped of licence over loud gigs

Many residents, however, supported the pub and called it 'the heart of the village'. 

Oxford Mail: Villagers in the Plough Inn's garden. Picture by Ed Nix.Villagers in the Plough Inn's garden. Picture by Ed Nix. (Image: Photo: Oxford Mail)

It wasn't noise but a housing plan causing controversy at a village pub in Appleton last year.

Residents stepped up their campaign in November to stop new homes being built in The Plough Inn's garden following an application for two detached homes in the garden of the pub.

FULL STORY - Villagers battle to save pub

More than 100 residents wrote letters objecting to the proposals, which included refurbishing the Plough Inn, by owner Hawthorne Leisure and developer REL Group.

In a statement, REL said it had been working with Hawthorn 'to secure the long term viability of the pub'.

Oxford Mail: J T Davies in BanburyJ T Davies in Banbury

POLICE rather than residents, meanwhile, were behind complaints last month when a Banbury pub wanted to extend its late licence.

Thames Valley Police objected to the move by J.T. Davies citing a string of recent call outs.

In one a man had been served six shots of 75 per cent proof alcohol during the afternoon and had to be removed by officers.

In another, a woman was arrested for being drunk and disorderly, again in the afternoon.

A police report stated that ‘with both situations there appears to be issues with staff training’ at the Market Place pub.

Police and pub managers eventually came to an agreement for a reduction in the extended hours.