A COMMUNITY has been left bitterly divided over controversial plans for a social club - with locals picking sides between the neighbouring pub’s new and old licensees.
Bradleigh Wosko is seeking retrospective planning permission for change of use to create a social club at the former Methodist Church in Main Road, Dovercourt.
The club is next door to his old pub, the Trafalgar.
Tendring Council’s planning committee heard the plans for the club, which has already been granted a license for alcohol and music, are “highly contentious”.
Nearby residents are concerned the club is operating too close to homes and the neighbouring cemetery, as well as about parking issues, noise and public safety.
Neighbour Mrs Richardson told the committee: “This has divided the local community.
“The application is not about wanting a social club or its benefits, it’s whether the change of use application is appropriate.
“The applicant, Mr Wosko, was a former licensee of the Trafalgar pub, but last year he and his wife were unsuccessful in their bid to stay on as licensees.
“The plot of land with chapel and rear building next door to the pub came up for sale. It was purchased at auction in February.
“An unpleasant division has arisen between those staying loyal to the Trafalgar pub and those who have continued their allegiance to Mr and Mrs Wosko and the proposed social club.
“Inevitably with this division and because of alcohol consumption, there will be concern for the safety and wellbeing of local residents.”
Harwich Town Council recommended the application should be rejected based on parking issues in nearby congested roads, as well as concerns over noise, public safety and antisocial behaviour.
A decision on the application was deferred by Tendring Council’s planning committee for three months for the applicant to submit an operational management plan and a noise assessment.
The Trafalgar pub, owned by Admiral Taverns, installed new managers Joann and Joanne Krisman earlier this year following a major £140,000 refurbishment.
The pub has been contacted for comment but had not responded at the time of going to press.
New licensees - Joann and Joanne Krisman at the Trafalgar
A SOCIAL club says it is willing to work with the community to overcome concerns over its plans.
Upper Dovercourt Social Club aims to offer relaxed environment for darts, pool and cribbage, along with live music, quiz nights and bingo, as well as allowing charities to use its back hall.
Club secretary Aimi Wosko, speaking on behalf of the applicant and the social club committee and members, said: “When this property came up at auction, we all spoke about it as friends and as part of the local community and could see something that we could put to use.
“It was for the social club, a big part of which was founded during the pandemic when we all kept in contact via WhatsApp – we became a big community network.
“We have all come together to get this idea off the ground – and offer a relaxing space for people to meet and socialise.”
She added: “We did reach out to residents and neighbours and got some good responses, but we only had one person turn up who originally objected to this when it went to licensing.
“We haven’t had anyone else come in and ask us what we’re about, including the town council.
“We are willing to work with the local community and council to make sure all restrictions are adhered to.”
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