BOXING and wrestling matches could be on the cards for visitors to Chester's ancient racecourse if their plans for a new entertainments licence are approved this week.

The Roodee's management has applied to Chester City Council's licensing committee to allow them to open from 7am to 2am, seven days a week.

People living near the course have been objecting furiously and local councillor Richard Short has been making their views clear to the council, which is due to make a decision on Thursday.

Cllr Short said: "We have had a lot of problems with noise from the racecourse, particularly because some events are open air. Events in the middle of the course and marquees have no soundproofing to protect people living nearby.

"I alerted the people I represent about the issue and asked them to express any concerns if they have any."

He said many of those living around the Roodee had come forward, complaining about the problems of noise when events are held at the racecourse.

Previous attempts to limit its impact on local people had not proved very successful.

Cllr Short said their concern was that it appeared to be a "blanket application", and he believed there should be separate applications for specific events.

He said: "Residents want some reasonable control over the licensing hours and if there is some special event they should apply for that on a one-off basis.

"We understand there is no intention of having raves from 7am, but the implication is they would start at 11am and go on until 2am.

"Although the old system was clumsy, there was control over individual events."

The racecourse wants to be able to sell alcohol from 11am to 1.30am, with music outdoors until 11pm and indoors until 1.30am.

It also wants to be able to hold boxing events from noon to 11pm. Residents from Curzon Park, Hough Green Residents' Association and local councillors have said they fear the effects if the proposals are given the go-ahead.

But when the application was first put forward in autumn 2005, Richard Thomas, chief executive of Chester Race Company, it was not new for the racecourse to host boxing and wrestling matches.

People living nearby had received letters informing them of its intention to host the indoor sport, but Mr Thomas said such activities had taken place for many years.

He said he suspected the only reason the issue had become so prominent was because they had been asked to reapply for their licence following changes in the law.

Mr Thomas said the amateur events tended to be organised by boys' clubs and were not widely promoted, and highlighted a recent kick-boxing contest held in the downstairs area of the County Stand when there was no issue about noise.

Last night a spokeswoman for the Chester Race Company said they were awaiting the result of the licensing committee meeting, but added: "We have been working with local residents to ensure all parties are happy."

liammurphy@dailypost.co.uk