A MEON Valley Vineyard wants a new premises license to sell alcohol for longer.

Exton Park, on Allen Farms Lane, Exton, has applied to Winchester City Council for the extension.

The application proposes that the vineyard should have permission to supply alcohol to customers for consumption both on and off the premises from 10am to 11pm Monday to Sunday. The vineyard already holds a premises licence permitting alcohol off sales from Monday to Sunday, 9am to 6pm.

The application has already seen opposition from nearby residents with many expressing concern over increased traffic and the safety of children.

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In its application, Exton Park has pushed back on some of these concerns, saying: “should this application be granted the changes to traffic to and from Exton Park are certainly modest and would not materially impact on the village, especially as current levels have not caused any problems”, and adding that the vineyard has been working on a traffic management plan.

But David Frere-Cook, of Allens Farm Lane, said he was “alarmed” to see the application.

He continued: “Whilst applauding the quality of the work and product of the vineyard, I am truly concerned that their current licensing application is not needed for the planning permission which they have and, if granted, would be to the severe detriment of those living nearby, in and around the village of Exton.”

Jeremy and Amanda Berwick, of Church Lane, also oppose the application, citing concerns about the impact the licence on public safety from more traffic as well as the increased risk of public nuisance.

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They said: “Given the significantly increased risks to public safety, greater potential for public nuisance, and the very real and serious threat to the safety of children, it seems to us that the only beneficiary of this application is Exton Park Vineyard and not visitors to Exton or locals like ourselves.”

Meanwhile Pat van Niekerk, of Allen Farms Lane, supported the proposal, saying: “I have lived in Exton for six years and I feel that the vineyard is a real asset to the village. It is situated at the top of the hill above the village, in a gated private estate and as such I do not feel it would be detrimental to the local community.”

The application will be decided by Winchester City Council’s licensing sub-committee on Thursday April 20.