A FUNCTION hall has been given the go-ahead to open later and run a Sunday carvery.

The Boathouse in Danson Park, Bexleyheath, was granted an extended licence for Fridays throughout the year and all weekdays during December at a meeting of Bexley council’s licensing sub-committee despite objections from 23 people living nearby.

Lynn Batham, speaking on behalf of the Friends of Danson Park and a resident of Danson Road, Bexleyheath, said people would suffer from the noise of people leaving late at night and music pouring through open windows.

She said: “This application must not be granted at the expense of residents’ sleep and quiet enjoyment of their homes.”

The applicant, Adam Martyn from Sidcup, said he had no plans to run The Boathouse as a bar.

“We make money with drink,” he said, “but it’s always ancilliary to the food.”

After deliberating for around one-and-a-half hours, councillors granted an extended licence to midnight on Fridays and all weekdays in December.

They also allowed the roof terrace to be used as a smoking area without drinks after 10pm.

The Boathouse will close 30 minutes after the sale of alcohol ends.

Cllr Michael Slaughter, chairman of the committee, said: “Alcohol can only be sold to people eating a meal on the premises or attending a function.”

The Boathouse aims to attract more wedding parties on Friday nights and use its 12 annual temporary event notices (TENs) to stay open later on some days in the summer months.

Its licence conditions also includes a challenge 21 policy and bans visitors under 18 unless accompanied by an adult.