Rugby club can run weekend events into early hours

A bid by Hereford Rugby Club to host events until 02:00 at weekends has been approved despite opposition.

Herefordshire Council received 36 valid public objections to the change of licence application from residents.

Its licensing sub-committee ruled on the case on 30 May.

Councillor Polly Andrews, chairing the committee, said members had decided to allow the changes to the club's licence with amendments it had proposed.

Licensed activities have been permitted until 23:00 at the grounds by the River Wye for the past four years, with extended hours until midnight on Friday and Saturday.

Ward councillor Diana Toynbee said a previous late licence granted to the club in 2021 had led to "much increased nuisance".

She said residents had accepted it but "2am is a completely different matter", adding: "I fear it would damage the relationship between the rugby club and the community."

Kevin Tillett, councillor for Hinton and Hunderton across the river, said residents there would have objected had they known about the proposals.

He said: "This will cause a great deal of disturbance on both sides of the river until well after 2am."

Resident Petra Moss told councillors: "I work on Saturdays and this would destroy my peace and quiet, and chance to get some sleep."

The club's agent Nick Semper said it could already host late events under temporary event licences and a noise complaint line set up under the 2021 licence had "received no complaints", nor were any lodged with police or environmental health.

The club was "not insensitive" to objections and had proposed a limit on eight late-night outdoor events between May and August and a crowd dispersal policy, he said.

The club has already shared the proposals with objectors, he added.

Club chairman Ivan Powell, a county councillor and cabinet member, said: "I have not been made aware of complaints about any activities at the club."

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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