Plans for 2am last orders at a Baildon golf range have been partly approved after councillors heard pledges that Ghyll Beck Restaurant would not become a nightclub.
And Bradford’s licensing committee heard that drunken trouble involving teenagers would never happen again, following an incident on Good Friday when police were called after a party turned violent.
License holder Robin Sheldon told the panel that youngsters had brought and drunk their own alcohol and were beyond control.
He said: “We closed the party at 9pm and called the police because they were fighting in the car park. It was a horrible event for us – a one off. We will hold nothing for under-21s from now on.
Mr Sheldon, who has run the Council-owned venue for 11 years without complaints from police or council officers, said: “We do not want a nightclub – it would be a stupid thing to do, financially speaking, in a small village.”
Mr Sheldon’s wife Katrina told councillors that they were licensed for weddings which made up the bulk of their trade.
She said they had some 68 weddings booked for this year, and they simply wished to be able to offer the 2am finish time to customers as an extra option.
Although they were able to apply for discretionary late openings, she said this would simplify their booking system.
Ghyll Beck Restaurant in Esholt Lane already had a license to serve alcohol and play music until 12am and the panel heard fears from Esholt villagers contained in 11 letters of objection.
These included concerns about music from music volume, litter, vandalism and anti-social behaviour in the early hours.
Solicitor John Cordingley, speaking on behalf of residents said: “ They view this proposal as inappropriate, intolerable and unacceptable.”argyus Councillor Roger L’Amie (Con, Baildion) said he had been asked to speak “by people who just want a quiet night’s sleep”.
Councillor Ghazanfer Khaliq, who chaired the panel, said it had decided to grant permission for late opening on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday night on condition that no events be held specifially for people under 21.
Mr Sheldon said “We would like to reassure local residents – it will never be a nightclub in Esholt.”
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