A nightclub has had its request to sell alcohol until 2am turned down after nearby residents raised concerns about anti-social behaviour.

Hotel owner Tony Burlingham had also applied to keep Winelodge, in Bridge Road, Oulton Broad, open to the public until 2.30am after taking the venue in December last year.

But Waveney District Council's licensing sub-committee refused the application, saying: 'Later opening hours increase the risk of disorder and public nuisance and therefore it was agreed that licensable activities should terminate at 12.30am, with the premises closing to the public at 1am.

'The only exceptions to this would be on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and New Year's Eve.'

Ahead of the meeting, residents of Bridge Road had lodged objection to the council, claiming that they had endured loud, abusive language and seen fights outside their homes over the past six years.

They even claimed revellers have urinated in letter boxes.

Penny Forrest, who owns Mill House, opposite Winelodge, said: 'The residents of Bridge Road have had six years of anti social behaviour and disruption. When Mr Burlingham put in for the new licence, he did nothing that would improve this situation at all.'

Both Ms Forrest and fellow Bridge Road resident, Alex Patterson, gave presentations at the meeting outlining the grievances of residents.

'Since the Winelodge re-opened in January this year, my neighbour in Bridge Road has had their wall knocked down- the impact was instant, showing clear correlation between disturbances and the opening of Winelodge.

'Residents have suffered disturbances such as urinating in post boxes and in the street, fighting outside their homes and loud abusive language- previous to the reopening it was relatively quiet for 10 months,' added Ms Forrest.

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