LICENSING bosses are dealing with up to a dozen applications a week as pubs, bars and clubs take the opportunity to extend their opening hours.

Members of City of York Council are holding meetings almost every day at the Guildhall to decide whether licensees should be allowed to alter their working hours.

John Lacy, temporary licensing manager, said only a handful of businesses failed to submit their applications to transfer their licenses by the August deadline.

But he said that the local authority now had to make sure they processed all the paperwork in time for November 24, when the new hours come into effect.

The latest round of applications has revealed that many residents oppose plans by their local pubs to serve customers later into the night.

In Huntington, 13 people have objected to proposals by the Flag and Whistle pub to serve alcohol until 1am on Friday and Saturday.

Residents in nearby Scawton Avenue, Rolston Avenue and Whitestone Drive argue that the change will create more public nuisance including noise, disorder and abusive language.

In a letter to the council Peter Richardson, clerk to the parish council, said: "There are fears that longer opening hours will result in more inebriated members of the public leaving...in the early hours..."

James Clay, of the city council's environmental protection unit, said complaints have been made about noise from the pub beer garden, and the last complaint was made in July.

But in his application licensee Dale Pollard said no sound equipment would be used outside and that a risk assessment had identified no particular dangers to the public.

A panel, chaired by Councillor David Horton, will consider the application tomorrow.

In Wheldrake, one villager has commented on an application by The Wenlock Arms. Lewis Munns, of Main Street, said although he does not object to extra opening hours, he has found some live music unpleasant.

But after talks with the council, landlady Susan Monfredi agreed not to use any sound equipment outside and to make sure any noise from the pub cannot be heard by neighbours.

In York, two households have objected to an application by the Beeswing, in Hull Road, to open until 1am seven days a week.

In a letter, neighbour Claire Penny said she can often hear music in her house, despite double glazing, and it disrupts her family. But she said landlord Philip Cain was a "helpful" neighbour and she did not object to occasional licence extensions.

In Fishergate, four residents have written to the council about plans by Alan and Janine Robinson, of the Light Horseman pub, to open until 1am on Friday and Saturday.

One Sandringham Street resident said the extra hours would result in more people slamming car doors and shouting at each other late at night, spoiling the residential area.

:: Latest batch of applications

Recent applications that will be heard by City of York Council include:

Spread Eagle, Walmgate, York. To sell alcohol until midnight Monday to Thursday, and 1am on Friday and Saturday.

The Bay Horse, Blossom Street, York. To sell alcohol until midnight between Sunday and Thursday and until 1am on Friday and Saturday.

The Wenlock Arms, Main Street, Wheldrake. To sell alcohol until 1am Monday to Saturday and until 2am over Bank Holiday weekends.

Beeswing Hotel, Hull Road, York. To sell alcohol from 9am to 1am Monday to Sunday inclusive and to allow the provision of hot food and drink after 11pm.

The Flag and Whistle, Huntington Road, York. To sell alcohol until midnight Sunday to Thursday and until 1am on Friday and Saturday.

The Light Horseman, Fishergate, York. To supply alcohol and play recorded and live music until midnight from Monday to Thursday and Sunday. To serve alcohol until 1am Friday and Saturday.

Updated: 10:26 Thursday, September 01, 2005