A SOCIAL club has been given the go-ahead to sell booze and play music despite objections from neighbours.

Upper Dovercourt Social Club applied for a premises licence for the former Methodist Church off Main Road, Dovercourt.

Despite being next door to the Trafalgar pub, residents were concerned over plans to sell alcohol until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, as well as the impact on parking and of noise on funerals at the neighbouring cemetery.

Despite six letters of objection to Tendring Council, the authority’s licensing committee partially approved the application at a hearing with earlier closing times.

The permission includes the playing of music, selling of alcohol and hosting indoor sports events from 10am to 11pm from Sunday to Thursday and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

Club secretary Aimi Wosko told the hearing the non-profit club was aimed at “giving back” to the community and aimed to offer a relaxed environment for darts, pool and cribbage, along with live music, quiz nights and bingo.

She added: “The club was formed during the pandemic.

“We have a wonderful group of people who are members.

“We have over 50 members already and more wanting to join up every day.”

When asked about parking issues on the narrow road next to the building, she added: “Most of our members are local and live in the vicinity and a lot of them area elderly and don’t drive, so we don’t anticipate the need for a lot of parking.

“We don’t intend to stay open that late – the application for late closing is for one-off events.”

She added the club “wouldn’t be blaring out music late at night or early in the morning”.

But nearby resident Mrs Richardson said she was worried about parking and noise.

“We live on Main Road and a lot of this is concerning for us,” she said.

Committee chairman Lynda McWilliams said: “The sub-committee does not agree to grant the application in full.

“It is clear there are concerns about noise that may emanate from the premises, together with the noise of people leaving.”