A GOLF course near Wokingham can now serve alcohol in its bar later in the evening, despite neighbours concerned about extra noise.

Planners granted permission for Wokingham Family Golf, Finchampstead Road, to extend its opening hours to 11.30pm. On Sundays and bank holidays, the bar will have to shut at 10.30pm.

Before, the bar had to shut at 9pm during the week, and 7pm on the weekend.

READ MORE: How to become a foster parent and what help you can get

Neighbours had written to the council with concerns about how noisy golfers could disturb them and the local wildlife, if the bar stayed open later.

But councillors on the planning committee at Wokingham Borough Council dismissed these concerns, and granted permission for the later hours at a meeting on May 21.

Councillor Chris Bowring said: “It’s possible to review the licence if neighbours aren’t happy in the future. So there’s little point of refusing on that basis.”

READ MORE: Wokingham builders skimping on affordable housing

Cllr Rachelle Shepherd-DuBey said: “It’s very good we’re supporting the hospitality industry, which is really having a hard time at the moment.”

The course had already been granted the premises licence from the council to trade this late, but also needed planning permission, too. This is because planners previously granted permission for the bar on the condition that it didn’t stay open too late.

Wokingham Family Golf has a nine-hole course, pitch and putt course, mini golf course, driving range and a club house. It used to be an 18-hole course called Woodcray Manor Golf Club.