RESIDENTS have failed in a bid to block a “noisy” golf club from opening to non-members.

Councillors yesterday gave Longley Park Golf Club permission to change its licence, despite opposition from people living nearby.

The Maple Street club will now be able to bring in extra revenue by opening to non-members.

Two residents living near the club had called on Kirklees Council’s Licensing Panel to block the move.

Peter Barrett, who has lived at King’s Mill Lane for 33 years, wrote to the panel objecting to the proposed licence change.

He wrote: “I live 65 yards away from the clubhouse and 33 yards from the nearest part of the club’s car park.

“Since 2004, I have made numerous complaints regarding noise from the golf course.

“On a number of occasions conversations in the car park while people are departing have gone on so long that I have had to open my bedroom window to ask people to be quiet.

“Occasionally this has resulted in verbal abuse from the people departing. It must be remembered that these people are members and guests of the club and are still on club premises.”

Cliff Preest, who has lived at King’s Mill Lane for 14 years, also wrote to Kirklees to object to the proposal.

He wrote: “The effect of this change would be to facilitate the opportunity to create increased noise and inappropriate nightclub conditions.”

The residents were represented at yesterday’s panel meeting by chartered surveyor David Strafford.

He told councillors: “There’s a degree of antipathy on the part of my clients. They feel worn down.”

Mr Strafford added that the clubhouse needed an upgrade if it was going to host more functions.

“On a hot summer evening, come 10pm, it will be very hot in that building and those windows will not be closed,” he said.

“The building can be improved with better air conditioning and sound-proofing.”