Club protest.

Byline: Naomi Paylor

Police and environmental health are opposing plans to extend the opening hours of a popular nightspot in Yarm.

Some residents have expressed dismay that The Keys on the high street has applied to stay open until 3.30am.

They say the noise and anti-social behaviour suffered at the hands of late night revellers is already unbearable and will be exacerbated by an extension at the club.

Cleveland Police are supporting the objections.

A spokeswoman said in the past year there had been 43 incidents linked to the premises. However, there had been a "staggering" 376 incidents within a 100-metre radius in only one year.

"This does not take into account the other unfortunate incidents which residents must endure. These include urinating in doorways, damage to street furniture and general public nuisance," she said.

A spokeswoman for environmental health agreed if the extension to the licence was approved there would be a greater likelihood of public nuisance.

But Alastair Powell, managing director of applicant Mistell Ltd, said the incidents mentioned by police did not reflect fairly on The Keys.

"If you were to look through the 300-odd incidents, most are not even related to the club," he said.

"They include incidents such as someone shoplifting in Boots at three in the afternoon or someone losing their mobile phone.

"The incidents connected to the club also include completely trivial incidents such as phones going missing. We have probably had two or three serious incidents in the past 18 months."

Mr Powell also said they had had sound-proofing installed at the club, CCTV fitted at the head of High Church Wynd and paid for policing outside the premises.

Although the application is for a 3.30am opening every day, he said the license would only be used on a Friday and Saturday.

The application will be discussed at a meeting of Stockton Council's licensing committee on Thursday, May 4, at the council chambers.

Meanwhile, councillors have accepted an application to extend opening hours at the Hide bar on the high street. The building will stay open until 12.30am for a trial period of 12 months.