A CITY centre nightclub is hoping to open an outdoor smoking terrace for York revellers.

But the move has been opposed by environmental officers and a nearby youth hostel.

Toffs, in Toft Green, near Micklegate, has applied to City of York Council for permission to change their existing licence, ahead of the national smoking ban coming into force on July 1.

The nightclub's owners want their licence to include a new terrace, where clubgoers can smoke.

But Britta Holland, managing director of York Backpackers, in Micklegate, has objected to the application.

In a letter to council officers, she wrote: "Toffs nightclub abuts the rear of our premises, and although we already suffer some disturbance from noise and public nuisance, the fact that the club is entirely enclosed with sound insulation and entrances located away from our premises mitigates against serious disturbance.

"We believe the noise levels from the proposed smoking area would be unacceptable and create a public nuisance, interfering with the comfort and sleep of our guests.

"We are a residential establishment and Toffs is kept open until early in the morning.

"Under the influence of alcohol and having come from a very loud environment, people have a tendency to shout and we do not believe that Toffs would be able to control the noise levels of individual revellers.

"The stillness of the night-time makes the situation worse."

She said many of their guests were children on school trips, and suggested the proposal would lead to them overhearing bad language and witnessing "acts of public disorder".

She also voiced concern that no CCTV cameras were proposed for the site.

Ian Gray, senior environmental protection officer at the council, wrote: "I would like to object to the extent of the smoking area.

"It would be preferable if the area was reduced in size such that the seating and covered area is screened by the adjacent wall such that it would provide a barrier between the patrons and the windows of nearby sensitive properties and remove the direct line of site to the windows."

He said he would have no objections if those amendments were followed, and said he had discussed that with the applicant, Luminar Leisure.

The application will be considered at a council licensing hearing on Monday, May 14.