MALTON'S Blue Ball public house is to get a public entertainments licence, despite objections from neighbours.

However, Ryedale District Council's community services and licensing committee ruled out an entertainments licence to run from noon to 10.30pm on Sunday and said that the last entry time to the premises on other nights should be 10.30pm.

The entertainment licence will run from 11am to 11pm on Monday to Thursday, and 11am to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

Councillors were told that there had been complaints of public disorder, noise and 'general unsociable behaviour' in Newbiggin some two years ago.

Three residents in Wentworth Street wrote to the district council saying they objected to the licence being granted because of noise from revellers and they feared the problems would increase.

Kevin Suffield, North Yorkshire Police eastern area licensing officer, said he had a meeting with Raymond Martin and he had given verbal agreement that there would be a minimum of three registered door staff and he was happy to have conditions imposed on the licence.

Councillors were told that the police wanted only the front door to be used, and not the back entrance.

Coun Keith Orrell said: "If you buy a house near a pub you can expect some noise. But this is virtually a day and night club."

He successfully urged the committee not to grant a licence on Sundays. He believed all residents in the area should have been consulted by the district council.

"Just because there isn't a legal requirement to do so doesn't mean we shouldn't do it," said Coun Orrell.

Coun Chris Parkin said the Blue Ball was not designed as a night club.

He said: "It is distressing for people having to listen to loud, thudding music."

Updated: 10:07 Thursday, December 13, 2001