Objections over Dereham pub's late opening hours bid

Police and residents are objecting to plans for a Dereham pub to extend its opening hours because of fears it will increase anti-social behaviour.

The Plough and Furrow, in Quebec Street, has applied to Breckland Council for permission to vary its premises licence so it can stay open later Friday to Sunday, and this will be discussed by Breckland's licensing sub-committee on Wednesday.

The pub has a licence to open Mon-day to Wednesday 9am until 1.30am, Thursday 9am until 2.30am, Friday and Saturday 9am until 3.30am, and Sunday from midday until 12.30am.

The proposed new weekend opening hours would be Friday and Saturday 9am until 5am and Sunday from midday until 2.30am.

But in a letter to Breckland, the police have objected because of fears it could increase anti-social behaviour and crime in an area which has a number of late-night venues and which, the letter said, already "generates the highest number of incidents in Dereham in the late evening and early hours at the weekends that require the attendance of emergency services".

Dereham Town Council has also objected because of concerns about anti-social behaviour and nearby residents being affected by noise.

Dereham resident Richard Sizeland said in a letter to Breckland: "On many nights I can look out of my window and see as many as 60 youths spilling out on to the street smoking, shouting, and very often numerous police officers and sometimes an ambulance taking away injured persons."

Joanne Cross, who holds the pub's premises licence, did not want to comment on the application.

Miss Cross has also submitted temporary events notices for Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve celebrations which propose that the Plough and Furrow will be open until 4am on Christmas Day and until 4am on New Year's Day.

Police have objected to both these temporary events notices and the issue will be discussed by the licensing sub-committee on Monday.