Council decision-makers say they will have to visit a popular south Herefordshire campsite before deciding whether to give it a licence to sell alcohol, given local opposition to the plan.

Mrs M Roberts of the Tresseck Campsite, by the river Wye at Hoarwithy, had applied to sell alcohol between noon and 10pm seven days a week during its season between the start of March and end of October.

Representations to Herefordshire Council licensing committee from police and trading standards had been addressed by the applicant, so had been withdrawn, but the committee considered two unattributed public objections.

One claimed an additional licensed premise near the existing New Harp Inn “may well lead to excessive drinking with associated rowdiness and the potential for criminal acts”.

Nearness to the “unprotected” river bank could “lead to possible accidental drowning of children and or adults who have over-imbibed”, it said.

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The other submission added that the campsite’s expansion in recent years meant noise pollution “has become more and more of an issue, particularly late in the evenings”.

“With the limited facilities on the site I anticipate more instances of public urination (or worse) in and around the site,” the respondent said, while “the likelihood of rubbish being discarded around the site or thrown into the river is likely to increase”.

Jeff Goulding, son-in-law of the applicant, told the committee he wished to “strongly argue against these unsubstantiated allegations”.

Tresseck has been a “safe, professionally run, family-focussed” campsite for over 40 years, which “does not tolerate unruly and unsocial behaviour”, nor does it permit stag or hen parties, he said.

The campsite had selected a 10pm cut-off for alcohol sales as it coincided with its existing “no-noise” rule. Already “hush police” patrols the site to ensure this is adhered to, Mr Goulding added.

There have been no safety incidents related to the river in 40 years, and the campsite has “plenty” of litter and recycling bins, he said.

It had “tested the water” by holding five weekend events under “temporary events notice” licences during the summer peak, he added.

“There is no evidence that selling alcohol on these weekends had any impact on crime and disorder, public safety or public nuisance, on which the campsite has an unblemished record,” he said.

No objections to the application were made in person.

The licensing committee held off making a decision, and will now visit the site on November 14, then decide on the bid two days later.

The licensing application was originally lodged on July 28, and consultation ended on August 24. The committee had been due to rule on it in September, but this clashed with the Queen’s funeral.