COUNCILLORS have given the green light for alcoholic drinks to be served at a Gourock gathering this month - despite concerns from residents living near the venue that the outdoor music event will put them through a day of 'torture'.
Royal Gourock Yacht Club is set to play host to a 'disco dance' on June 10 in a repeat of last summer's 'Terraza Del Clyde' gig organised by local DJ Bruce Glenny and his events company, Summer Friends Productions.
The club's bid for an occasional licence, from 2pm until 10pm next Saturday, to allow them to offer beverages during the balcony event was successful after elected members granted their application.
However, at a meeting of Inverclyde Council's licensing board on Thursday it was revealed that two objections had been lodged to the plans, with neighbours on nearby Ashton Road raising fears over the impact on their properties.
One of the objectors claimed last year's event 'was not a disco, it was a rave' and said the 'incessant beat' left them unable to hear their TV or music in their own home.
The female complainer noted that residents had been 'put in a situation where they are made to endure torture for eight hours' and stated her worry over a repeat situation arising this year.
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No objections were submitted from police, while the local authority's licensing standards team confirmed they had received no recent noise complaints.
However, another public objection said surrounding homes would be 'directly affected by the loud music and parking problems'.
A member of the licensing standards team told the meeting that the request 'does not seem unreasonable and shouldn't affect residents to an extraordinary extent'.
Honorary secretary of the club, Doug Haldane, told the meeting: "I don't believe the event was a rave. This is a disco.
"This event is rather important for the business side of the club, we have a relatively small turnover.
"This is by far and away the largest earner for us in the year.
"We are not talking about a routine every Friday or Saturday night.
"It is an annual event."
Mr Haldane said the club's committee members are 'sympathetic' to residents' concerns and are taking steps to reduce the noise from the event this year.
Councillors agreed to grant the club's application.
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