�A Brentwood nightclub’s extended opening hours are a “massive letdown” for residents living nearby, said a councillor.

Eclipse in Ongar Road applied to open until 3.30am from Thursday to Sunday. Currently it is open until 2.30am on Thursday and 3am from Friday to Sunday.

Planning committee members met last week to extend the hours in line with officers’ recommendations with a dispersal time of up to 4am.

A previous application to extend the hours until 4am was refused because it would have had an “unacceptable impact” on the character of the area and a “detrimental impact” in terms of noise and disturbance.

However, the new application was supported by police because they believe it would result in a staggered dispersal of customers.

Liberal Democrat councillor Ross Carter, a committee member who lives near the nightclub, said after the meeting: “This decision is a massive letdown to the residents of the Meads elderly people’s complex next door and all those in the residential areas around the town centre who have consistently reported disturbance to councillors.

Objection

“Brentwood’s night-time economy is fast turning into a dawn-time economy thanks to Conservative and Labour members failing to recognise the right of residents to a peaceful night’s sleep.

“So many of our residents feel that Brentwood is becoming a no-go area at night and the council has once again failed to listen to them.”

The council received two letters of objection about the extended hours.

Writers said the hours applied for are unnecessary and there is already noise and disturbance in the High Street.

Some residents say they have had to put up with constant disturbance over the past few years.

Cllr Alan Braid (Conservative, Hutton Central) said: “There were only two letters of objections, so where are all the objections? They have had the chance to object.”

Cllr Philip Mynott, Liberal Democrat councillor for the ward the club is in, Brentwood North, said: “The noise and disturbance will carry on for a longer period than it is now and there will be a steady stream of people coming out of the club later.

“I think that it is a well-run club. It’s unfortunate that it has the location that it has.”