A PUB'S late-night opening plans will be debated by residents tonight amid concern about increased disturbances.

The Evening Press revealed last week how Punch Taverns had applied to City of York Council for permission to keep the Swan in Bishopgate Street, Clementhorpe, open until 1am on Friday and Saturday nights.

Now more than 20 residents of Clementhorpe Court - sheltered accommodation next door to the pub - have signed a petition opposing the application, which has been made under the 2003 Licensing Act.

One resident, who asked not to be identified, said her neighbours were concerned that there could be an escalation of existing problems with late-night noise in the area.

She said people had moved to the area on the basis that pubs would shut at 11pm. She said the Swan was currently very well run, but other licensees could take over in future who did not manage it so well.

However, another resident, Shelagh Edmond, who is secretary of Clementhorpe Residents' Association, said she had not signed the petition. She said the pub was well managed and she did not anticipate a later licence causing any problems.

Association chairman Derek Shaw said the application would be discussed at an association committee meeting tonight.

Keith Chapman, chairman of the Nunnery Lane Residents' Association, said he feared if this application got the go-ahead, there could be a chain reaction with other pubs in the area following suit. "If this one goes through, we aren't going to be able to stop the others. It's going to be bedlam."

Coun Dave Merrett, whose Micklegate ward includes the Clementhorpe area, said he anticipated some concerns would be raised with him.

He said the pub's existing customers did not create problems, but a different clientele might be attracted if it opened late.

He stressed under legislation he was only entitled to speak at the council's licensing committee if he was formally asked to by people directly affected.

The Swan's licensee, Pete McNichol, has denied the application would cause an increase in drunken behaviour.

He said he wanted a slightly less rushed finishing time, especially in summer.

He said: "People still only have a certain amount of disposable income to spend on alcohol. They still have mortgages and electric bills to pay."

Updated: 10:12 Tuesday, May 03, 2005