Disgruntled residents in Melbourne are opposing new pub plans, fearing an increase in drunken youths, shouting, vomiting and the drowning out of birdsong.

The plans, submitted by Roger Lowe, would see his existing ale shop – Stable Ales – in the Old Stables at Melbourne Hall turned into a pub, along with acoustic music.

If approved by South Derbyshire District Council, open from 10am until 10.30pm every day of the week.

Nine residents have submitted objection letters opposing the plans, triggering a licensing hearing, which will take place on Tuesday, June 8, from 10am in Swadlincote.

Mr Lowe, who opened his shop while in lockdown last year, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that he was previously the designated premises supervisor at Donington Park, responding for a capacity of tens of thousands of people.

He said: "I have got a level of experience that I will apply to the tap room.

"I hope that once we have the hearing, residents will see that the way we will be runnin the tap room will cause minimal disruption.

"There is some misdirected concern that the fact that there is going to be a tap room opposite peoples' homes. We are not going to be playing amplified music with lots of bass.

"We are only going to do things in keeping with where we are.

"A lot of the concerns were submitted in tandem with a premises licence application for Melbourne Hall, which we have withdrawn.

"It will not be open all hours, the operating hours being 24/7 is for the online shop, the tap room itself would be open until 9pm and the late night hours until 10.30pm would be for some events."

His application says the times past 9pm are to cater for events such as outdoor comedy shows, food evenings in the courtyard, tasting sessions with craft breweries and the festive period.

Joanne Hill, who lives in Melbourne, is among those objecting to the plans, writing: "Whilst Mr Lowe should be applauded for his business venture in the provision of craft ales for sale in his shop, Melbourne does not necessarily require another public house – particularly in the area of the historic hall.

"Recorded music used to attract persons to the venue will also be a nuisance to the local residents who, unlike those who will be enjoying a brief respite and some refreshment, will be living with the disruption for a considerable time."

She urged for the premises licence to be rejected to retain Melbourne as "one of the jewels within the South Derbyshire district".

Mrs R. Farmer wrote in an objection letter that selling alcohol late into the evening would "intensify" issues with crime and disorder.

She said parking was already "horrendous" and further vehicles would cause an "impossible situation".

Mrs Farmer said: "The consumption of alcohol by groups of young people, not from the village, at evenings and weekends is also a problem which is increasing.

"Allowing these types of events in such a small village will inevitably bring into the village all types of people, some of which could have a tendency to harm or abduct children."

Melbourne resident Patrick Lavin wrote: "The sale of alcohol could fuel people to be rowdy, noisy and argumentative.

"Excessive noise pollution from music festivals would interfere with local residents enjoying their own garden area in the summer months and would drown out the wonderful birdsong."

A further Melbourne resident, J. Williams, wrote: "Such a development is likely to provoke disorder and problems in the environs of the Hall, impose noise and antisocial behaviour on the immediate vicinity of the Hall and impose a very different atmosphere on a formerly peaceful and civilised environment, simply for financial gain.

"Those of us who have lived near pubs are aware that closing time in the licensed premises is not the end of noise, fighting, car doors slamming, arguments, shouted mobile phone calls, taxis arriving and vomit.

"There are five licensed premises within a five-minute walk from the Hall, we do not need any more, particularly with noise and raucous behaviour all evening."

Lynne Williams, a further objector, wrote: "The licensed premises will complete a triangle of public houses in the immediate vicinity around which a travelling drinking population will inevitably circulate into the late hours.

"Past experiences from groups in Melbourne include drug taking, binge drinking and disorder, continuing until the early hours.

"We will not benefit as a town from another pub. We already have a significant level of public disorder on Friday and Saturday nights. We appeal to planners to protect what remains of our peace, dignity and security."

Dot Devey Smith, wrote: "You would also find it unacceptable in your neighbourhood to have your late-night and early-morning peace disrupted at all hours, throughout the week as well as on weekends, by cars and people leaving an alcohol-serving place and in whatever condition they might be.

"It is a situation known far more for being noisy than not, however full of good spirits any given leaver may be at that moment.

"Permitting Stables Ales to entice more people to drink more on its premises in a location neighbouring that used frequently by children of all ages is an imprudent and potentially dangerous notion."