"IT will be like living at Blackpool." Those are the fears of residents on a York estate after they learned council chiefs want a permanent licence to hold entertainment events on Knavesmire.

Keith Chapman, chair of Nunnery Area Residents' Association, said he feared City of York Council's application to provide "regulated entertainment on Micklegate stray and surrounding land" would "open the floodgates" for events to be held on the land, close to homes and flats.

Present licensing laws mean each time an event, such as a circus or motor show, is held on Knavesmire the council has to apply for a separate licence to host the event.

But the authority says the Government is encouraging councils to apply for permanent licences for their own land under new laws.

Notices have gone up near homes in Hob Moor, Bustardthorpe, Knavesmire and Little Knavesmire, which has led to concerns that a successful application could pave the way for more events to be held.

Micklegate ward councillor Sandy Fraser says he has already been contacted by a number of concerned residents.

"I have questioned whether the application would be to hold these events any nearer some of the properties that border Knavesmire," he said.

"Residents who live on the border of Knavesmire are concerned. All three ward councillors would be concerned if there was any increase in the number or nature of these type of events."

Mr Chapman said: "It will be like living in a fairground. Once you have opened the door, the horse will bolt. These buildings where people are living were never expected to be able to cope with these types of events (held on Knavesmire)."

A council spokeswoman, said: "The council is applying for a licence for the provision of regulated entertainment on Micklegate Stray and the surrounding land. The application covers 9am to midnight, Monday to Sunday.

"Any representations must be received by the council's licensing team by April 4.

"The licence is no different to the ones previously granted on the land, but under the new Licensing Act, the council applies for one complete licence rather than individual ones for each event.

"However, if large events are planned (in addition to those already held annually) notices would be posted, residents in the locality contacted, and there would be an opportunity for comments."

Updated: 09:32 Friday, March 24, 2006