A Dundee bowling club has found itself in a bitter row with nearby residents after being accused of a lack of lawn order.
Dudhope Bowling Club on Adelaide Place has applied to Dundee City Council for a change to its licensing conditions that would allow members and guests to drink outside.
But the local authority has been swamped by letters of objections from people living in the area – and one church minister – who say the club-members are already an anti-social nuisance.
The Dundee City Council Licensing Board has received 23 letters of objection to the club’s proposal and one letter in support of the plans.
Last September, a bid by Upper Constitution Street residents Dr James and Mrs Rosemary Butler to have Dudhope Bowling Club’s licensing conditions reviewed was refused by the board.
But the club’s new plans, which also include allowing members to sing in four guests, has sparked fury.
THe Butlers have submitted a letter of objection which states: “The club’s agent misleadingly presents Dudhope’s bowling activity as a pleasing, genteel and sedate exercise for its elderly members and guests… we have a more credible and long-standing perspective of how the game is played.
“Here bowls is played loudly and with vigour; it is noisy, animated and often-times raucous.”
Rev Marion Paton of St David’s High Kirk has also objected to the plans.
She stated: “As things are at present, visitors to Dudhope Bowling Club are often inconsiderate and sometimes downright dangerous in the way they park. They can also be quite unpleasant to local residents.”
Rev Paton also said the changes would encourage more people to drive while under the influence of alcohol.
However, one Fingask Street resident did write in to support the proposals.
He said neighbours who complain about the club “feel the sound of bowls clacking, creaking hips and mild angina attacks from the players every weekend are a noise issue.”
He added:”I highly doubt that by allowing guests to drink outside it will suddenly turn the corner of Fingask and Adelaide into some sort of open-air, OAP, ASBO-inducing, drinking orgy.”
Solicitor Janet Hood, the club’s agent, said it has not been made aware of any complaints about anti-social behaviour made to the police or the council’s environmental protection agency.
The Licensing Board will consider the club’s application on April 21.