Haworth cricket club has been given permission to sell alcohol at its new clubhouse bar despite residents’ fears it would attract noise and trouble.

People living near the ground, in West Lane, fear there will be all-day drinking, leading to rowdiness and litter blighting the peaceful area.

Steve Moffatt, a spokesman for the residents, told a licensing meeting at City Hall yesterday that opening a bar at the clubhouse would cause a “public nuisance.”

He said: “There is already a problem with one of the establishments where drinking goes on until 2am, which affects West Lane. ”

Mr Moffatt described the cricket club as a “fantastic facility” for the village.

But he told the panel it was 30 yards from homes. Allowing an application for a drinks licence would mean people leaving more litter and drinking outside for a long period of time, he said.

“There is also the association of drinking with sporting activities,” he added.

“We feel strongly that granting a drinking licence for Haworth cricket club will be of detriment to the local area.”

Secretary Gary Bancroft said the cricket club “definitely did not” want to stay open when there were no matches or functions in the bar, which was built last year after the club secured a lottery grant. It would be for senior players and adult supporters to have a drink inside while watching matches or outside using plastic glasses.

Mr Bancroft said: “We are a small village cricket club and we will not welcome or encourage rowdiness.”

After a ten minute adjournment, the Shipley and Keighley Licensing Panel decided to grant the drinks licence.

  • Read the full story in Thursday's T&A