PLANS to secure the future of the Barlow Institute by granting an alcohol and live music license have met with an angry response from neighbours.

The 102-year-old building is set to lose its £42,000 a year funding from Blackburn with Darwen Council, due to spending cuts.

A four-year transition period will start in 2012, where funding will be withdrawn gradually.

Volunteers are now persuing money-making ideas to keep the Edgworth building open, including applying for permission to sell alcohol at functions and hosting live music events.

But residents of Bolton Road said the plans would lead to noise disturbances, an increase in anti-social behaviour, and traffic problems on the main road because of insufficient parking spaces.

Paul and Diane Matthews, of Bolton Road, said previous noise problems had been tolerated on the basis they were occasional.

They said: “What is proposed is clearly now on a larger scale and, in our view, the building is simply not designed for the use and level of use proposed.”

They added: “Allowing alcohol outside as is proposed is likely to be a magnet for large groups to spill out and congregate on Bolton Road, causing noise and potentially damage to properties.

"There is no realistic prospect of adequate supervision.”

Brian and Kath Longworth of Bolton Road also objected.

They said the Institute’s proximity to Edgworth Cricket Club - which is used for functions - would double concerns for the neighbourhood, and deemed plans ‘not inkeeping with village life’.

Applicant Elinor Whitlock, stressed there would not be alcohol ‘happy hours’, hen or stag parties, the venue would be staffed at all times, and work would be done in conjunction with local police officers.

Blackburn with Darwen Council expect applicants to prevent disturbances by installing, if necessary, soundproofing measures and keeping windows and doors closed.

A decision will be made by members of the licensing sub-committee at 6pm on Monday, June 27 in Blackburn Town Hall.