A SOMERSET hotel advertised as a venue for “group sex and swingers parties” has been allowed to serve alcohol later at night – but only for three days of the week.

Croydon Hall in the tiny Exmoor National Park village of Rodhuish is the venue for members only ‘Exclusively Silks’ parties – described online as “intimate parties for classy, sophisticated couples and single ladies.”

Its operator Allen McCloud applied to extend the time he can serve alcohol to non-residents, as well as providing music and late-night refreshment – but ran into opposition from local residents.

The local authority has agreed a compromise situation, which would allow the hotel to serve alcohol until 1am on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays – on the strict condition that all guests must be off the premises within 45 minutes after that.

At a packed meeting in Williton on Monday afternoon (April 29), Somerset West and Taunton councillor heard from concerned residents, who claimed the hotel’s existing events was ruining their quality of life.

Anne Pitts, who runs a holiday cottage with her husband David, said the noise from events at the hall could put off potential tourists from coming to the national park.

He said: “We set up Ordway House as a holiday let – we’ve brought in about 8,200 tourist days to the area.

“Personally I am offended by the fact that there is a sex club next door to our house, but that is not the main point. Frankly he could be running a dominoes club. The main problem is once the doors and windows are open, everyone can hear the noise.

“We want people to enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the national park. People we speak to are appalled and say, as we do, that this is the wrong business for here.”

Susan Brierley, whose family has lived near the hall since 1960, said granting the licence would create “a complete free-for-all” with extra traffic accessing the site.

She said: “The nature of the business that Mr McCloud) is running now is geared towards non-residents.

“There wasn’t activity in the night before. He’s got eight rooms and he’s advertising online car parking space for 80 cars.

“Every day of the year could be like this. If the licence is until 3am – say you have a wedding party, the old folk and people with kids will leave at midnight, the party-goers will stay until 3am and it can take an hour and a quarter for the cars to leave.”

Mr McCloud asked the council’s licensing sub-committee to ignore “hear-say based on exaggerated stories in the press” and accused the residents of “bully boy tactics”.

He said: “I applied for a three-hour extension [to the licence] because it’s the 21st century. When people ring up for a wedding and ask what time the event can finish, and I say 11:30pm, they move on.

“If there is a problem, and people do have concerns, please come and see me because I will resolve it. I am there 24/7, I have control of my hotel, and I know what is happening. People aren’t drunk throwing bottles, and they aren’t outside fighting.

“People are getting infatuated with one particular lifestyle event – and I understand that. They don’t like the nature of the beast.”

After an hour’s confidential deliberation, the panel agreed to grant a small extension to Mr McCloud’s existing licence.

Under the ruling, he will be able to serve alcohol until 1am on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

However, all guests must leave the premises within 45 minutes of the licensed period ending, seven days a week.

Councillor Keith Turner – in his last action as a district councillor – said: “We’ve taken into consideration all that’s been said. It’s not an easy decision, but hopefully we’ve come up with the right one.

“Let’s hope things go ahead in a positive light.”