Gosforth residents have voiced their concerns about a potential noise nuisance if a long-established cricket club makes changes to its licence.
South Northumberland Cricket Club on Roseworth Terrace has requested permission to serve alcohol and hold events such as live music from 10am until 12am seven days a week, in a bid to hold more fundraising events in aid of the club.
The club's current licence allows for the supply of alcohol from 11am to 11pm Monday to Saturday and from 12pm to 10.30pm on Sunday.
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Pre-booked private functions would also extend to midnight, and would not require a temporary events notice (TEN) from the council. Currently, there are between 15 and 20 such events each year.
Speaking at a Newcastle City Council Licensing Hearing on Tuesday, the club's solicitor Chris Grunet explained that the proposals would give more flexibility, but that there were no plans to significantly change operations there.
He said: "First and foremost, this is a cricket club. It has a long history in that regard and has programmes for boys and girls, men and women, and produces talent that, in many cases, goes on to the highest levels.
"The premises has a modest lounge bar and function room. Neither police nor environmental health oppose this and there has been no enforcement action taken in the past.
"This is not a move away from the cricket club. It proposes an update to bring it in line with other clubs of this nature to allow flexibility. My client's indication is that this is not a lead way to any significant change in operation at the site."
The club currently holds four major events per year taking place after 11pm, which require a TEN. A report for the licensing committee stated that these annual events are the "primary source" of income for the club's sporting programmes.
While residents accepted that the club had been a "good neighbour" over the years, there were considerable concerns about noise. The council had received 22 objections and one from the area's councillor, Tom Woodwark.
Roseworth Terrace resident Caroline Pickard said: "I just can't understand why there is a need to extend the right to maintain opening more than 10 times a year if you have no plans to have more late events.
"Having lived on Roseworth Terrace for 26 years, neighbours do hear noise from the cricket club. The reason they have not complained is because they're so infrequent - it's about balance.
"It's just about trying to preserve a bit of peace. I hugely support the cricket club, I think it is a great neighbour and it needs to be bringing money in, but my worry is about this unlimited allowance to play noise very night until midnight 365 days a year."
The committee will consider the evidence presented by both sides, and will inform them of the result within five working days.
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