The owners of Crouch Ridge Vineyard have a wait of up to five working days to find out whether they can extend their opening hours after a licensing meeting heard arguments for and against the plans.

Once the decision is made, the next step will be to wait for the outcome of a planning application which will look at different aspects of the proposal.

The vineyard has applied to extend its wine barn license to allow sales and drinking of the produce on the premises up to 11pm each day. The venue in Althorne hopes to hold wine-tasting and wine and food pairing evenings.

A meeting of Maldon District Council's licensing sub-committee heard this morning (Thursday, 11 March) from the vineyard's owners (the Lonergan family) and from a local resident who objects to the application.

Four written objections to the extension have been received in total, centred on concerns over noise and disruption to village life, littering, traffic problems, the potential for increased anti-social behaviour and crime and the disturbance to wildlife and a nearby cemetery.

Objector Stuart Souter told the meeting he has lived on the same road as the vineyard - Fambridge Road - for 40 years and believes the requested extension to the venue's licence would be "inappropriate" to village life, adding: "Those of you with children will know that they need to be rested and ready for school".

He also spoke of the "horrific sight line" from the vineyard onto Fambridge Road and the potential for road accidents this could cause.

However, the meeting also heard that highways safety is not a consideration within the legal remit of the sub-licensing committee.

When not under pandemic restrictions as is currently the case, Crouch Ridge Vineyards in Fambridge Road, Althorne, is allowed to sell alcohol between 10am and 6pm daily, allowing consumption on the premises.

In late January, the vineyard applied to extend the hours to 11pm daily, in order to hold evening wine tasting, tasting evenings and food and wine pairings.

Speaking to the meeting, Ross Lonergan told how the need to extend hours had come about through an increase in wine production and as a response to requests from customers for evening events, including Rotary clubs and WI (Women's Institute) groups.

Sam Lonergan, when questioned by councillors at the meeting, explained that there would be no discos at the venue, with the local choral society sometimes performing and an annual event where a local band plays. Mrs Lonergan added that the venue does not have a wedding licence and wakes would only be held between the hours of 10am and 6pm.

Mr Lonergan spoke of the importance to the vineyard of its reputation, adding: "We feel that we are ambassadors for the Chelmer Valley wine region and the Maldon and Dengie area as good employers, good neighbours and a good experience for our customers.

"We are all about promoting experience and education."