HISTORY is repeating itself over a controversial plan to open a nightclub in an east Cleveland village.

Kenneth Morley, from The Lodge, Liverton Mines, applied to Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council for a public entertainment licence so that the venue, in Cleveland Street, could be open until 2am every Friday and Saturday.

But objections have flooded in to the council from residents and the police.

The Lodge has been at the centre of controversy in the village since Mr Morley first applied for a late licence in December 1999.

At that time, the council, police and local residents objected, but at an appeal at Teesside Magistrates' Court in March last year, a licence was granted allowing The Lodge to stay open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

Now Mr Morley is again trying to get The Lodge's opening hours extended, until 2am, and has gone back to the council's licensing committee for an extension.

It means residents and the police are having to restate their objections from 18 months ago.

Cleveland Police have again objected to the proposal, and in a letter to the council express their concerns about a change in the demand for police resources the nightclub would bring.

They say that if police are outside a nightclub at 2am they cannot be fighting crime elsewhere in east Cleveland.

Residents Jack and Margaret Skelton, of Low Cleveland Street, said: "The noise that comes from The Lodge does not stop until 12.20am.

"This noise prevents us from sleeping, then we have the added inconvenience of the shouting and the brawling and the fighting that starts outside, with the added worry for the safety of our property and possessions and our own safety.

"The Lodge, if it was granted this new licence, would totally destroy our quality of life."

The licensing committee has deferred the application for a hearing until Thursday, July 12, at Eston Town Hall, at 1pm.

Mr Morley told The Northern Echo: "We have got problems with a midnight finish because the people who come here from Loftus leave the pub at 11.30pm and get here for 11.50, and we close at 12 so it is not a lot of use.

"I thought the reaction from the council was quite positive and I was expecting negative vibes.

"I must make it clear that it is not a nightclub, it is a nightspot for a late drink.

"We are in a tiny village. People deserve the opportunity to have a late drink without going underground."