Residents clash with hotel over plans that could 'threaten tranquility'

RESIDENTS have warned a hotel’s proposed drinking hours licence could “threaten the tranquillity and quality of life”.

Bosses at the Trouville Hotel in Priory Road, Bournemouth, have applied for a licence to sell alcohol to non-residents until 1am and residents 24/7 as well as indoor sporting events until 1am.

Previous owners of the hotel effectively went bust earlier this year, causing it to close, but ABQ Leisure is looking to change the hotel by including housing and inside entertainment.

After the application for a new licence was handed in to BCP Council, 27 people wrote to the authority objecting.

Trouville Hotel in Priory Road

Noise concerns, the potential for increased anti-social behaviour and drunken behaviour are all concerns residents in the West Coast apartment block opposite all fear.

Speaking at a licensing committee hearing, resident Karen Davies warned the proposals would “threaten the tranquillity and quality of life”.

Meanwhile, Peter Jopling added: “I have witnessed on a number of occasions people outside drinking, making lots of noise, I’ve made representation to the manager a couple of times and been ignored.

“I’ve reported people on the roof to the ignored. I appreciate this was with the old company, but we’re being asked to take a leap of faith that things will dramatically change.”

Philip Day of Laceys Solicitors said the Trouville “will not operate as a nightclub or a bargain basement off-licence selling cheap alcoholic drinks”.

Resident Peter Jopling (Image: BCP Council)

He added: “I was extremely surprised at the level of representation that had been received and they came in extremely quickly.

“I’m not going through them all, but it seems to me that the problem is that they’re all in the same block and have other premises that operate late night venues.

“I sympathise, but it has nothing to do with the Trouville.”

Resident Stuart Green replied: “What you are not aware of is there is actually a strong sense of community in the Coast development.

“If something is upsetting people, it will be shared in a group... we’re like a small village and everything that goes that that impacts us, people do comment on it.”

A decision on the licence application will be made by BCP Council at a later date.