NEIGHBOURS have objected to an application to extend the opening times of a function hall in Danson Park, Bexleyheath.

The application by the owners of The Boathouse, Stylish Catering Ltd, to extend the licence to midnight on Fridays and on weekdays in December is due to be considered by Bexley council’s licensing sub-committee tomorrow morning.

In a letter to the council the applicant’s said: “At present, Fridays are unpopular for functions. This we feel is due to the licensed hours finishing at 11.30pm. Traditionally The Boathouse runs Christmas parties in December until midnight by applying for temporary event notices (TENs). By using all our TENs up in December, we are unable to offer an extension to hours for any other night in the year.”

David Bissell, Chairman of the Friends of Danson Park, said the move would also allow The Boathouse to stay open until midnight in the summer via its 12 TENs.

He said: “The basis of our members’ objections is we see no reason why the music and dancing be allowed to be extended any later than the present accepted closing time of 11pm.”

He said: “This is a residential area, not a local high street and should be assessed as a special situation in its own right. The Boathouse sits in quiet parkland at night, facing residential houses.”

More than 20 residents have also objected to the extension.