A NIGHTCLUB named Love Shack is bidding to stay open until 3.30am despite claims of rape and sexual assault inside, a senior police officer has revealed.

Newcastle-based Utopia (Six) Limited, operator of the 600-capacity club, in Walkergate, Durham City, is asking Durham County Council to extend its licence by one hour to 3.30am seven days a week, with last orders at 3am.

However, the police, environmental health officers, politicians and residents say they are bitterly opposed to the plans.

In a written objection, Sergeant Tim Robson, from Durham Police’s alcohol harm reduction unit, has written of a “spectrum of incidents” in and around the club in the past year, including disturbances, drunkenness, thefts, assaults and a rape.

It was alleged a woman was raped in the VIP area at the rear of the club on July 2, he writes.

No other details are provided.

On June 30, it was reported a woman was sexually assaulted in the VIP area after drinking two large bottles of alcopop, five alcoholic energy drinks and assorted shots, Sgt Robson continues.

Separately, a 17-year-old girl is said to be awaiting the results of HIV tests after feeling a needle prick in her arm on July 28.

During an over-16s disco on March 22, Sgt Robson claims he found a 16-year-old girl from Barnard Castle slumped and unconsciousness in the VIP area.

Other objectors include Kathryn Haller, operations manager of a nearby Premier Inn, who says the hotel, which has a “Good Night’s Sleep Guarantee”, has had to refund £9,197 over the past 14 months due to noise.

Council environmental health officials, councillors, nearby residents and Durham City MP Roberta Blackman-Woods are also fighting the application.

Love Shack’s operators say the venue, which opened in 2007, has built a good reputation for its policies and procedures, works very closely with the police and has a range of measures to reduce noise and disturbance.

The venue won the Best Nightclub and overall prizes at the 2010 Durham Best Bar None responsible operator awards.

A licensing committee is due to debate the application in Spennymoor council chamber at 10am on Wednesday.