WORRIED residents must wait to see whether a late licence is granted for York's Barbican Centre after making impassioned appeals for it to be blocked.

A City of York Council licensing sub-committee will give its decision in a few days time on an application by prospective operators Absolute Leisure to serve alcohol until 2am.

Speaking on the second and last day of the Guildhall hearing yesterday, counsel for the company, Charles Holland, claimed there was no cogent and compelling evidence that the late licence would cause a crime or public disorder problem.

He said police, who would have to deal with any such problems, had not raised any objections, and there would be no special drinks discounts or promotions that might lead to binge-drinking.

But a series of residents from Heslington Road and nearby streets told of their fears that they would be disturbed in their sleep in the early hours by thousands of revellers, particularly University of York students, returning home after drinking at the centre.

They said that with problems such as binge drinking and obesity becoming so serious in 2005, it beggared belief that the council would want to close a sports centre and replace it with a drinking establishment.

John Wartho, representing three local residents, said they already suffered problems such as noise, vomiting and rubbish being thrown into their gardens, but feared these would worsen substantially if the licence was granted.

Margot Blanchard said she feared the late licence would have a "very serious, adverse impact". She said: "Residents need their sleep."

Jeremy Phillips, counsel for a number of objectors, said the application represented the "ultimate test" of the new licensing system under which local authorities determined applications. York council had a substantial vested interest in the outcome of the case, but the committee must put such considerations aside, and should not grant the application if it felt it was likely to cause problems.

Committee chairman Coun Gilbert Nimmo assured objectors that its decision would be based purely on the relevant legislation and statutory guidance.

Updated: 10:57 Wednesday, July 13, 2005