The owners of a 19th century fort have been give permission to sell alcohol and host live music despite concerns it will have a negative impact on neighbours.

Fort Luton in Chatham can operate between 7pm to 10pm on Thursdays, 7pm to 10.30pm on Fridays, midday to 11pm on Saturdays, and midday to 6pm on Sundays – subject to obtaining planning permission for amended hours.

The applicant had initially requested a licence for midday to 11pm on weekdays and 10am to 11pm at weekends, leading to objections from residents in Magpie Hall Road.

Rebecca Barton said: “I’m just concerned I’m going to be living opposite a nightclub, because that’s what it’s going to be.

"If you are going to be potentially selling alcohol seven days a week, then that’s what it is.

“I’m concerned about people coming out of the fort drunk – children hearing that when they’ve gone to bed, not being able to sleep and waking up for school the next morning.

“I’m concerned about people bringing beer bottles out and leaving them in the street, and people relieving themselves on the street – that’s what happens when people come out of nightclubs drunk.”

The concerns primarily stemmed from a drum and bass event held at the fort last year, which led to several complaints from locals and an apology from the venue.

Director Rob Shand said there would be no further events of that kind, adding: “I had 150 to 200 people there who were getting a little bit aggressive, and security staff who said they wouldn’t be able to handle it if I shut it down.”

He disputed the use of the word “nightclub”, while Medway Council licensing hearing panel chairman Cllr Diane Chambers (Con) also suggested it was a “misnomer”.

Mr Shand spoke of his hopes to host twice-a-month comedy nights, themed music events, as well as private occasions such as birthday parties – adding the initial application was only “to cover any eventuality”.

Such functions have been held at the fort in recent years, but the event organiser has had to obtain a temporary events notice if alcohol sales and live or recorded music were required.

Having the licence would help stop people from getting “really, really drunk”, as well as help generate money to invest into the Victorian structure used to strengthen the country against landward attack.

He added: “We took on Fort Luton to resurrect it. Throughout the time, we’ve been trying to restore it – we’ve opened up a museum and people have used the fort for various events where they needed a licence.

“It’s one way of raising money for the fort, so any money made is invested back into the fort. We want to grow it, but it needs to be able to make an income to be sustainable so the licence is a way to try and do it.”

Concerns about noise would also be addressed, according to the applicant, with “sound deadening” in place.

Concluding, Cllr Chambers said: “What we would recommend is you do hold monthly meetings with the residents in order to address any problems they perceive can be worked on by both of you.

“We would also insist you carry out a risk assessment for each event you hold on the basis they may require door staff.”