Chippenham nightclub E11evns is planning to extend its opening hours to 4am and open a second dance floor.
The club on The Bridge has applied to vary its premises licence to add a second room with dance floor and bar, and on Friday and Saturday nights to stay open until 4am and serve alcohol until 3.30am.
Its current licence allows it to serve alcohol on the premises until 3am.
The club was given planning permission in June this year for a 90 sq metre extension on the first floor at the back, where a second dance floor is planned.
It was already given planning consent for this back in 2003 but had to reapply as it had lapsed.
Since then, the first floor of the Citadel Hall next door has changed from retail use to being used throughout the day and evening for dance and other classes.
Ten users of the hall sent letters to Wiltshire Council objecting to an extension, concerned it would block out its windows and make it dark, stuffy and noisy.
Rachel Terry, manager of the Citadel Hall, said: “The air-conditioning units will be pushing stale, smelly air into our windows and the hall. The already high levels of noise will increase.”
One hall user, John Brant, who lives in Wootton Bassett, said the extension would have a “massive impact on their sessions”.
He said: “We have two vulnerable children in our classes who suffer breathing difficulties and with the lack of ventilation coming through to the Citadel this will be to much for them.”
But the Wiltshire Council case officer said the applicant had submitted specifications for roof vents to be installed above the level of the hall’s windows, and considered this to be an adequate ventilation system.
There was no objection to planning permission from Chippenham Town Council.
Town and Wiltshire councillor Bill Douglas said he would not object to the licence extension but wondered if there were enough patrons to make a 4am close profitable.
“If they do not have the patronage it will be self-limiting,” he said.
Wiltshire Police said it was not appropriate to comment during the consultation process.
Chippenham Town Council will consider the application at a meeting this evening. It can be viewed at the Monkton Park council offices by prior appointment, and Wiltshire Council is accepting any representations for or against the application no later than Wednesdaym August 27.
Applicant Claudio Viveiros could not be contacted for comment.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel