IT was feared it could become a "floating night club", but a licence for a River Ouse cruise boat has been passed by councillors.

The application for The Duchess of York boat, which was opposed by riverside residents who said noise levels would be increased, was agreed with strict conditions at a City of York Council licensing hearing on Monday.

John Lacy, acting licensing manager, said: "What the council was concerned about was that this could become a floating nightclub in effect, if they were granted the licence that they applied for.

"But the committee put quite stringent conditions about it saying that the nature of the operation cannot be changed."

The boat will be allowed to operate from 10am to midnight from Sunday to Thursday, and can stay open until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Any live music or dance on the boat must finish one hour before the closing time, and by 11.30pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

The conditions also specify that the boat must retain its current use as a cruiser.

Seven residents from the city centre and the Fishergate area had written to the council objecting to the plans.

Win Derbyshire, 61, of South Esplanade, had objected to the longer operating hours, but said she was satisfied with the ruling.

She said: "The noise is probably not such a problem, it is the extended hours. The Duchess of York is not actually the worst offender.

"It does not affect us too much, but if we had not put the objection in they would have had music until one in the morning. We felt it was important to object."

The new Licensing Act 2003 has meant that, for the first time, boats using the river need a licence to sell alcohol.

Another cruise boat hearing is scheduled for next week and five more applications are in the pipeline.

Richard Dearlove, owner of Waterline Cruises, which owns the boat, said: "We are happy with the decision that we got. We want to work with the residents and we are not in the business of upsetting the residents.

"I can understand their fears obviously, but as it is I am quite happy with the compromise."

Updated: 10:21 Thursday, November 17, 2005