RESIDENTS fear proposals to sell booze at a Hereford college would lead to drunken brawls and drug consumption.

Education leaders have applied for a licence to sell alcohol and host music and dance events at Hereford College of Arts.

Herefordshire Council’s licensing sub-committee ise expected to consider the college’s application to licence the café, main hall and courtyard area on Friday (June 7).

The college wants permission to host indoor plays and films, live and recorded music and dance events both outdoors and inside along with the sale and suppy of alcohol for consumption on and off the premises.

If granted, the licence would be from Monday to Saturday from noon until 11pm.

But neighbours have objected to granting the licence which they believe will lead to a increase in crime and noise disturbance in the area.

“Past experience demonstrates that under age drinking will take place, possibly drug taking and most certainly drunken brawls,” one resident said.

“These students are very young, so should we encourage drinking? No.”

Another resident said they had previously experienced excessive noise and antisocial behaviour coming from the premises.

They said they weren subjected to very bad language, threatening behaviour and loud music into the early hours of the morning.

“Due to excessive amounts of alcohol we have witnessed aggressive behaviour and noise and are concerned of the disruption this will cause,” they said.

Others said an event last summer, which went on until 1am, was disruptive and that approving the licence would lead to the creation of a major entertainment venue in an inappropriate residential setting.

“Outdoor music events, entertainment and the sale and supply of alcohol is not appropriate a this location because it is a residential area with houses, nursing homes,” they said.

Hereford College of Arts principal Abigail Appleton said they had been running weekly social nights since November without receiving complaints from residents.

“The wider social experience is an important part of higher education,” she said.

“In response to student requests the college has been running a weekly social night using Temporary Events Notices licences since November.

“The number of TENS licences is limited to 15 per calendar year and therefore to continue providing this facility the college has applied for a premises licence.

“Senior managers have overseen the pilot and the evenings have given our degree level students and staff a chance to socialise on campus in a well-regulated and private environment.

“Students have responded very positively that it has enhanced their experience of the College and sense of community.

“During the pilot period we did not receive any comment on noise or anti-social behaviour and the licence application includes mitigations around any such future impact.

“The college expects to be open for only some of the times on the licence application but would like some flexibility to respond to demand or specific events.

“We greatly value our neighbours’ good will and will continue to oversee any future social evenings closely.

“We believe some of the comments made on our application may be based on the experience large scale wedding parties held at another nearby venue, unrelated to HCA.”