A RESTAURATEUR has won permission to sell alcohol at his New Forest tea rooms despite local opposition.

But following a raft of worries from residents, Charles Bruske dropped his application for a music licence for the Forest Tea House and Restaurant in Pound Lane and accepted hours limited to 9am to 7pm.

His intention was to provide occasional afternoon jazz music and give customers “the option to purchase an alcoholic beverage”.

But the parish council and 26 households opposed his plans.

Parish councillors were concerned about live music causing a nuisance, the potential to sell alcohol from 7am and lack of parking.

A couple from nearby Copse Road claimed: “This application is another ‘nail in our coffin’ for noise, more traffic, drunks and parking.”