DUDSBURY Golf Club owners are angry that a planning application for a marquee on the grounds of the club has been refused.

The application for the multi-purpose marquee between April 1 and October 21 went in front of the planning committee on Tuesday.

Residents have raged against the proposal, submitting a deluge of written objections to the council.

They claimed existing problems such as heavy traffic and noise pollution would only be made worse if the marquee was allowed.

They added that fireworks displays held at the club had already upset children, wildlife and a nearby cattery. People have also urinated and thrown rubbish and bottles into neighbouring gardens on leaving the club.

Tony Elliot, 69, from Christchurch Road lives opposite the club said: “People are extremely worried, it will change our lives and cause problems for the police.

“If it was only a marquee to be used during the day I would have no major objections, but the thump, thump, thump from music at night is not acceptable.”

Club owners Beate Braban, 67, and her husband Dave, 72, live on the golf club grounds. Mrs Braban hit back at the complaints.

She said: “I am so hurt, we have been accused of all manner of things, which simply aren’t true.

“We have never even held a firework display. We have been here five and a half years. This club means the world to us, everything we do is to the highest standard, the average age of our customer is about sixty.

“I don’t believe they are in the habit of urinating in gardens and the cattery mentioned has only been open five and a half weeks.

“Everything we propose has been met with a barrage of complaints, objections and overreaction. We only want to provide the best facilities for our customers.”

The council refused the proposal stating it was inappropriate development on green belt land, damaging the character of the rural landscape and that strains on existing traffic problems and noise pollution were also considerations.