The Sherwood Forest Youth Hostel has applied for a new licence which would allow it to put on various entertainment, play music and sell booze 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

At a meeting last week, Edwinstowe parish councillors said they were opposed to the application and claimed it should not be granted under any circumstances.

They say the youth hostel, on Forest Corner, should not encourage people to indulge in excess alcohol, which could lead to anti-social behaviour.

And councillors claim the location of the hostel it is also too close to the forest – where there is already a problem with gangs loitering.
Coun Lesley Ward said the plan could turn the hostel into a nightclub which Edwinstowe does not need.

Residents and police officers have also raised concerns about the application and a petition against the proposal is currently being circulated around the village.

Chairman of the council, Coun Pam Bird, added: "We are not against the youth hostel in any way – it has done a wonderful job for the past 10 years but these proposals are not what you would expect of a youth hostel."

This week Youth Hostel Association communications manager Paul Fearn told Chad the application looked far more frightening on paper than it would ever be in reality.

"We merely want to be able to offer guests a better service – to be able to buy a drink with their meals – so it's unlikely that any neighbouring residents would notice any difference," said Mr Fearn.

"We have submitted identical applications for all our locations that offer a meals service in the past 12 months – more than 120 youth hostels – because it is the easiest and most cost-effective method.

"In all cases, we have been happy to comply with any conditions or restrictions imposed by the authorities and have already been in discussions with the local police in Edwinstowe over restricting the hours of alcohol sales.

"Far from promoting irresponsible or excessive drinking, this move will allow us to exercise more control over alcohol consumed on our premises.

"As we know the age of all our guests, if a licence is granted we can prevent under-age drinking and refuse to serve anyone who we feel may have had too much.

"And as for the entertainments licence, we need this to comply with new licensing legislation and legitimise activity that may already occur on-site – like school talent shows, piped music in reception and watching films in the lounge."

The application will be decided by Newark & Sherwood district councillors at a future meeting.

•Edwinstowe has been named as runner-up in the Best Kept Village Competition.

Judges were impressed with how clean and tidy the village is kept and they praised Edwinstowe for its clean toilets, virtually litter-free streets and its up-to-date notice and tourist boards.

And Edwinstowe has now been picked to represent Nottinghamshire in the 2009 Calor Village of the Year Competition 2009.