A school has been granted a licence for its annual fireworks display, despite neighbours’ claims the sound is “absolutely insufferable.”

It means Cornwallis Academy, in Loose near Maidstone, will be able to sell more tickets to its show - previously limited to 500 people - as well as selling alcohol.

But the bid attracted the ire of dozens of neighbours, with one saying the show was so loud he had taken to wearing military ear defenders while it was on - and they still didn’t block out the noise.

The school, in Hubbards Lane, initially applied to Maidstone council for alcohol and music licences all year round.

It wanted permission for live and recorded music from 11am to 10pm, and alcohol sales from midday to 10pm.

But bosses later told the authority they would be open to a limit of four events per year.

However, the bid attracted 56 comments from residents who wrote in to slate the plans.

At the meeting, Mason Dadson, marketing manager for the Future Schools Trust which owns Cornwallis, explained the application was made to allow them to host more people at the fireworks show.

In previous years the display had been held under temporary licences, which only allow up to 500 people, whereas a full licence would allow more.

“We are committed to enriching all of our students, and the local community through various events and activities,” Mr Dadson said at a meeting of Maidstone council’s licensing sub-committee.

“Our intention in seeking this premises licence is just to facilitate these community-focused events, providing a safe and welcoming environment for all of the attendees.

“We believe that by doing so we can indeed strengthen the bond between the school and the wider community.”

But prior to the meeting, objectors had organised a petition of more than 100 residents opposed to the licence on the grounds of noise and light pollution.

David Sanderson, who lives right next to the school, attended the meeting to speak against the application.

He said: “The noise currently suffered by local residents from the Cornwallis School site is a growing entity, they already hold a regular fireworks display and other end of term events.

“The noise from these is absolutely insufferable.

“I’ve sat inside with all the windows shut, having to wear military ear defenders and still this is not enough – the only way to deal with it is to leave the house.

“Awarding a licence will enable the school to host more and larger events, which will increase the noise nuisance,” he added.

Valerie Sanderson, Mr Sanderson’s wife, also attended, telling the committee they were already subjected to an “unacceptable noise problem” due to the school’s 3G football pitch.

She added: “It is totally outrageous that I will not be able to sit in the garden of my dream house in peace and tranquillity at weekends with what the school proposes should this licence be granted.”

Neighbour Tanya Fisher also took issue with the plans at the meeting.

“In my view it is totally and morally inappropriate for a secondary educational setting to be applying for an alcohol licence,” she said.

“Surely there are concerns it could be open to abuse and encourage underage drinking.

“The school is not a public house or a football stadium.”

Addressing the concerns, Mr Dadson said: “Many objections have been raised around the openness of the licence but as you can see we are willing to put forward a condition of four events [maximum per year].”

“The school at present has no intention of doing anything further than our fireworks display.

“However looking into this further there are other events that take place on site such as the Heart of Kent Hospice charity run that would need to be covered under this licence as well.”

Cllr Clive English (Lib Dem), chairing the meeting, said: “I understand the need for a licence for firework displays, what I'm not quite clear about is the logic of applying for a licence which relates mostly to a fireworks display – by definition an evening event – from 12 noon on a Friday.”

Mr Dadson responded: “We are open to other events going forward, I’ve said that we have no intention of doing anything more than fireworks but going forward there might be the odd thing here and there.”

After deliberating in private, the sub-committee decided to grant the licence for alcohol sales, and live and recorded music - but imposed a limit of two events per year.

It means alcohol can now be served at the Heart of Kent Hospice charity run after midday, and at the annual fireworks event.

An extra condition was added that no alcohol can be sold on the site during regular school hours.

The school will need to seek a new licence if it wants to host any further large events.