ANGRY residents in Tavistock this week vowed to fight a plan to create a nightclub in a residential area just yards from their homes. During a packed public meeting held at Tavistock Primary School last week, residents from Whitchurch Road, Crelake Park and Drake Gardens were unanimous in their opposition to a planning application to create a nightclub three days a week at the King?s building, off Pixon Lane. The building is the base for the Tavistock Communmity Church. A church spokesman said steps would be taken to ensure residents were not bothered by the proposed nightclub. The residents have now set up a fighting fund in their efforts to persuade West Devon Borough Council to refuse the change of use application, submitted by the treasurer of the King?s church, Vince Edwards. Residents said the area around King?s was ?quiet and settled? ? there were families with young children and a high proportion of elderly people who were fearful of the consequences of late night drinking near their homes. Mandy Staple, of Crelake Park, said: ?It would affect us quite a lot. When they have the U18s discos at King?s, the noise is horrific. We have them coming along this little footpath at the back and the language they use is horrendous. ?This is a residential area, there?s loads of kids here and we just don?t want this on our doorsteps.? Guy Williams, of Crelake Park, said damage had been done to his property after late night events at King?s. ?We get beer bottles and cans in the garden, they wee in our pathway and things like that ? we?ve had to lock the children?s swing down now,? he said. Another resident, who did not wish to be named, said: ?The impact of this on our neighbourhood will be catastrophic ? and in the summer months, when it?s hot, you?ll have thumping loud music, the windows will be open, the noise will just filter through.? Wendy Rich, of Crelake Park, who called the public meeting, urged people to write individual letters to members of West Devon?s planning committee objecting to the scheme. She also stressed that any incidents of criminal damage or anti-social behaviour should be reported to the police. The residents have agreed to raise money to pay for legal representation at the planning meeting when the case is heard, in their efforts to oppose the scheme. But Colin Bond, King?s pastor, said the organisation had a 15-year track record of providing responsible, community events and was taking steps to make sure residents were not bothered by the proposed nightclub. He said a secure fence would be erected between King?s and Battery Lane and Crelake ? and insisted noise would not be a problem. Mr Bond said: ?With the Crown closed, there is a big vacuum for people to have some sort of entertainment, to be off the streets and doing something recreational. If nobody does anything for them, the situation could be a bit unpredictable. ?We are looking to provide a recreational outlet for people, and at the same time, trying to control it to be acceptable ? we are really trying to help the community.? Mr Bond said he was saddened ?a few agitators? had caused feelings to run high and he wished people would have the confidence to talk to King?s if they were worried. Vince Edwards, King?s treasurer, said he would be holding a consultation evening shortly, regarding the application. In the meantime, he invited everyone with a view either for or against the nightclub to put their views in writing to him,. care of King?s, Pixon Lane, Tavistock. Licensee Andy Coadsaid extensive work would be carried out to make sure King?s was sound-proofed to comply with ?very strict? new laws ? and all discos would be very firmly policed. ?We will do everything we can to protect residents,? said Mr Coad. ?We care about Tavistock, we live in Tavistock and it?s going to be run properly.? A spokesman for West Devon Police said they would consult widely before deciding whether or not they backed the application. ?It won?t be easy to get the balance right in this situation,? he said. Ed Persse, West Devon planning officer, said the committee was likely to consider the case on July 19. He said it was ?far too early? to say whether it would be recommended for approval or rejection and much more information was needed by officers working on the case.
