Members will hear that when samples were taken during a wedding reception on Friday, the level of noise recorded at the nearest residential property exceeded 45 decibels - the limit on which planning consent for the structure was granted last year.

The tests were ordered at the June meeting of the board when hotelier Mr Sutherland was granted an occasional licence for last week's bash and a similar one on July 3 with a disco providing the music.

Previous licence applications for functions at the marquee this year have been granted by the board, but only on condition no amplified music is played after 10pm, even though alcohol is available until midnight.

The board relented on the 10pm music ban for the two most recent wedding receptions after hearing from a firm of private acoustic consultants, engaged by Mr Sutherland and his wife Jo.

These experts reported that a loudspeaker system, placed on the ceiling above the dance floor, had been measured on June 8.

The comparison with a conventional stage speaker format showed a reduction in "amplified music noise break-out" from the rear. The consultants claimed the improvement was significant, allowing a level of 95 decibels on the dance floor whilst complying with the 45 decibel limit at the facade of the nearest house.

The June meeting was also given an assurance by Mrs Sutherland that percussion would not be allowed and, on the basis that Scottish Borders Council's environmental health officers would gauge the results and noise levels would be set prior to each event, the board granted the midnight licence with no 10pm music deadline.

Tomorrow, Mr Sutherland will bid for another occasional licence - for a wedding reception on August 28 - and the results of the monitoring will be revealed.

TheSouthern has obtained copies of the environmental health report on the July events when noise was monitored over seven 10-minute periods between 10pm and midnight. At the event on July 3, the 45 decibel limit was narrowly exceeded on four occasions, but on Friday, the minimum level was exceeded throughout: from the first test at 10.13pm (47.45 decibels) until the last at 23.52pm (45.71).

The noise reached a peak of just over 49 decibels in the 11.40pm test when officers noted: "Ceilidh music ... stamping and clapping...yelling ... drum beat clearly audible ... high altitude aircraft fly over".

Just what the board will make of it remains to be seen, but neighbours Jim Tough and Dean Sewell have maintained their objections over the noise nuisance.

Mr Sutherland is defending an action brought by SBC which seeks an interim interdict to halt him using the structure.