Despite concerns about a possible increase in anti-social behaviour, an Isle of Wight holiday park has been given permission to extend the hours it can sell alcohol.
It has also been agreed alcohol can be bought for consumption outside of bars and restaurants, at Shanklin’s Landguard Holiday Park.
Changes approved
On Friday, the Isle of Wight council’s licensing committee agreed changes to the Parkdean Resort’s licence, allowing alcohol sold in bars, restaurants and the on-site shop to be consumed elsewhere.
It can also now be sold between 10am, two hours earlier than before, and midnight.
What the changes will mean
At the meeting, a Parkdean representative said the change would allow guests to take drinks back to their caravan, adding there are already shops selling alcohol nearby.
The application was described as a chance to ‘tidy up’ an old licence.
Concerns over increased noise
Residents fear an increase in noise and trouble, arguing lives have already been impacted by noise disturbance and anti-social behaviour.
One neighbour said they ‘dread’ when the park reopens each year.
In a comment sent to the Isle of Wight council, the resident said it would encourage later drinking and mean holidaymakers walking the streets in a drunken state.
Few complaints
County Hall’s environmental health experts said there has been no noise complaint since 2016.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said it was last called to an incident of anti-social behaviour in 2019.
Will make conditions clear and transparent for everyone
Parkdean’s spokesperson said the changes will make the conditions clear and transparent for everyone, adding some of the things being requested are already allowed anyway.
The park could put up signs to ask customers to be quiet, the holiday firm said.
Change to entertainment times
Entertainment can also now start at 10am and run until midnight, meanwhile, and refreshments can be sold between 11pm and midnight.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
