Noise concerns over social club plans

Ross Conservative Club was founded in 1884, its chairman said

Neighbours fear nuisance caused by "noisy and inconsiderate" social club guests could worsen after a Ross-on-Wye venue applied for a premises licence.

Ross Conservative Club, of Hillsborough House, The Avenue, is seeking permission to serve alcohol and hot food from its function room until 00:30 on weekends.

The licence would also enable the club to host live and recorded music until late.

The club's chairman said in a note to residents there would be no changes to the club's existing licencing hours.

One resident, whose name was redacted, responded to the application to say it "would mean an unacceptable disturbance".

Another nearby neighbour claimed "noise would be unacceptable and traffic increased", and they had already experienced "disruptive behaviour from their clients late at night".

The resident added guests threw "cigarette butts, plus other rubbish over the wall" and were "abusive" when asked to move their cars from private parking areas.

According to documents submitted to Herefordshire Council's licensing subcommittee, the club's chairman said it wished to advertise the function room "for hire to the general public, not just to our current members".

Revenue generated would "ensure the continuation of our club, which has been going since 1884", the chairman added.

The chairman denied club members were responsible for intrusive parking and said music never went beyond midnight because of tenants in three flats above the club, who had "never complained in the past".

West Mercia Police and the council's trading standards and environmental protection raised concerns over security and nuisance, which were dealt with in conditions agreed with the club.

The application will be decided by the licensing subcommittee on Thursday.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.