ROSS-on-Wye’s Conservative Club has been given permission to host functions till half past midnight, despite the objections of a neighbour.

Barry Williams told Herefordshire Council’s licensing committee that the current members-only events at the club, were ‘put-up-able’ but extending the hours would be an unnecessary burden on local people.

He claimed that after closing time at night there was ‘collateral damage’ from people leaving the club late at night at weekends as chatting, disagreeing and fighting goes on for at least an hour afterwards, he said and added: “I am the most affected, but there are at least 50 other houses within 100 metres.

For the club, Laura Dobbs said: “We are not looking to change the opening hours, just to open it up for hire for private functions. It was always permitted to open till half past midnight at weekends – though we normally shut at 11pm and even on a Saturday, we’d finish at midnight.”

Subcommittee chairman Cllr Polly Andrews said the club had already agreed to conditions to prevent noise and disturbance put forward by the council’s trading standards and environmental protection officers and the police.

“The subcommittee fully recognises Mr Williams’ concerns over the impact on the area but can only consider those with reference to the licensing objectives,” she said.

The application for a premises licence was granted.