AN Exmoor hotel which stages “group sex and swingers parties” is trying to change its licence so it can serve alcohol until the early hours of the morning.

Croydon Hall, a hotel in Rodhuish within the Exmoor National Park, is the host of Exclusively Silks parties which offers swinging on a members-only basis.

The venue wants to extend the time it can serve alcohol, as well as providing music and late night refreshment, from its current limit of midnight to 3am (except Sundays).

But more than a dozen neighbours have objected, saying the traffic and noise which the venue currently generates is ruining the quality of life.

The hotel is also being investigated by the national park authority for a possible planning permission breach.

A decision on the licence will be taken by Somerset West and Taunton Council’s licensing sub-committee in Williton on Monday (April 29), after previous talks aimed at finding agreement between hotel owner Allen McCloud and local residents broke down.

Mr McCloud originally applied to extend the licence until 4am, but changed this to 3am following discussions with Avon and Somerset Constabulary.

A number of residents living near Croydon Hall have lodged objections to the proposed extension of the licence.

Vivien Irwin said it would lead to “drunken drivers, after eight hours of alcohol, driving through country lanes, villages and [along the] A39”.

David and Anne Pitts said: “We know from bitter experience with the previous owner that DJ music, with thumping bass, permeates every corner of our houses, making sleep impossible.

“People inevitably spill out into the gardens, the pool and the car park, with increasingly drunken exchanges – shouting, singing, even fights. To extend that suffering is utterly unacceptable.”

READ MORE: Owner defends swingers club events at Exmoor hotel

Susan Brierley added: “Up to 80 cars could arrive late in the evening and leave in the early hours of the morning, at a time when neighbours are trying to sleep.

“There is space for about 25 cars in front of the hall, with additional parking at the side. There is not space for 80 cars, so additional parking would be in the lane by our houses.”

The Exmoor National Park Authority has not commented on the licence application, but said the hotel was being investigated by its planning department to see whether the use of the venue for swingers’ events violating its planning permission.

Dean Kinsella, head of planning and sustainable development, confirmed: "The alleged breach is that the building is being used for a mixed use as a hotel/ private members’ club.

“We are currently in the process of preparing an enforcement notice, as we consider that a change of use of the hotel has occurred.”

Mr McCloud had informed licensing officers at the former West Somerset Council that Exclusively Silks rented out part of Croydon Hall for its events.

However, he is listed on Companies House as a director of the private club.

Speaking to your County Gazette in January, Mr McCloud said the club had an 'open door' to residents wishing to discuss the events.

"We are mainly a hotel, but we were approached to see if we could do something like this, after a lot of research we realised we could cater to this market," he said.

"We are here to be part of the community."

The council’s licensing sub-committee will meet to discuss the licensing proposal at West Somerset House in Williton on April 29 from noon. The public are welcome to attend.