TEAROOM times at Ness Botanic Gardens have met with public opposition.

The attraction had successfully applied to the borough council for a new premises licence for its existing Bulley Tea Room and Restaurant.

This was required from the council's licensing sub-committee because the Neston Road premises had substantially increased in size, said a report.

The gardens, which also incorporate a visitor centre, events and main arena, shop and cafe, were granted permission to open from 9.30-1am Monday-Sunday, and to serve alcohol from 10am-midnight each day.

The council received five letters of objections from residents in nearby Haddon Lane and Den-hall Lane, citing a number of concerns.

One said: 'Extending the licence could bring in its wake undesirables from outside this peaceful rural area that could destroy this area's character.'

Another resident said: 'The catering facilities should be there to support the enjoyment of the gardens, and not an unrelated profit-making commercial undertaking.'

They pointed out that the Mickwell Brow-based gardens are also in the green belt.

One resident complained about the noise of visitor traffic, adding that recent building work had been 'trying'.

Another said many elderly people live nearby and would be 'distressed to suffer the noises and inconvenience ... of nightly disruption'.

Applicants the University of Liverpool said CCTV was in both the main premises and car park, no unaccompanied children are allowed on the site, and fire checks are carried out regularly and rigorously.

* The sub-committee decided the new opening hours for Gladstone Village Hall in Burton will be 8am-midnight Monday-Saturday, and 8am-10pm Sunday. An alcohol licence was not applied for.

* An application to permit regulated entertainment, including dancing, indoors until 1.30am Sunday-Thursday and until 2.30am Friday and Saturday at the Lodestar pub in Brook Street, Neston, has been withdrawn by the applicants Cornpath Ltd.