A BARRAGE of objections has been lodged against plans for a Colchester nightclub to extend its hours.More than 200 people from the Dutch Quarter area of the town have signed an 18-page petition asking that Club Valentino, in St Helen's Lane, should not be allowed to extend its hours from 2am to 3am on Friday and Saturday and from 10.

A BARRAGE of objections has been lodged against plans for a Colchester nightclub to extend its hours.

More than 200 people from the Dutch Quarter area of the town have signed an 18-page petition asking that Club Valentino, in St Helen's Lane, should not be allowed to extend its hours from 2am to 3am on Friday and Saturday and from 10.30am to 2am on Sundays.

And 154 individual letters have been sent by residents calling for the application to be refused.

Colchester MP Bob Russell has also sent in a letter of objection.

He wrote: "Residents have informed me of existing problems in this mainly residential area caused by Club Valentino - noise nuisance from sound and ventilation equipment, and unacceptable levels of alcohol-related anti-social behaviour.

"It is my understanding that Government legislation to enable licensed premises to open for longer hours had in mind those in city and town centres and other leisure destinations.

"I do not recall any clamour that it should include clubs in residential areas.

"I strongly support the local community in resisting moves by Club Valentino to extend its current hours of operation and hope the council refuses the latest application."

Essex Police has also commented on the application, saying it believes opening later would increase alcohol related crime, disorder and public nuisance in the Dutch Quarter and town centre.

It said: "Dutch Quarter residents regularly suffer every weekend from anti-social behaviour from individuals leaving town centre premises, including Club Valentino, especially when customers are entering or leaving the club.

"This noise nuisance and behaviour regularly impacts on the residents living, working and sleeping in the Dutch Quarter and is unreasonable disturbance."

The application will be considered on September 13 by Colchester Borough Council's licensing committee.

A spokeswoman for the club yesterday declined to comment on the matter.