AYR Racecourse has been slammed by councillors after they arranged Christmas parties without having a license in place.

The venue was hoping to hold Winter Wonderland Christmas party nights in a marquee on the Whitletts Road side of the grandstand.

However, following an objection and changes in their application at short notice, South Ayrshire councillors have chosen to only grant two nights of the event at this time.

Chair of the meeting, Maybole councillor Ann Galbraith was furious with the racecourse, slamming their ‘cavalier attitude’ in approach to their license application.

It was revealed at the meeting that the Ayr Racecourse had been advertising the events and selling tickets without even having a granted license to sell alcohol. Tickets for the event are being priced at £47 per person.

A local resident - Anne Heggerty, spoke of her objection in front of South Ayrshire Council’s licensing board.

She said: “I suffer from the noise of the marquee that is 100m away from my house. This event fills me with horror as I am trying to sleep. According to Ayrshire license laws, I should not be subjected to this environmental noise.

“I have lived in Whitletts Road for 55 years, the traffic doesn’t bother me. However, since 2008, the Racecourse’s outdoor events I have had to endure. Everytime the noise is awful and I complain and nothing happens.”

Thursday’s meeting of the Licensing Board heard that since the application was put in by the Racecourse, they had amended details twice - on the timing of the event and whether children would be present.

Joanne Miller, the legal representative of the Racecourse management team said: “The majority of the party nights are office nights for staff looking for a Christmas night out. In regards to the noise, a formal noise report has been submitted and action has been taken. The Racecourse doesn’t want to be bad neighbours. So hopefully this will give some reassurance.”

Environmental Health Officers also spoke at the meeting citing the fact they had received multiple complaints of noise from previous events. It was confirmed that from Mrs Heggerty’s address noise can be heard from the Racecourse.

Chair of the meeting Ann Galbraith said: “I have a serious concern, this is days before the planned event. This cavalier attitude towards the board that you will get whatever you want will not fly.”

Councillor Alan Dorans said: “I fully appreciate what the Racecourse brings to our economy, but I cannot accept the arrogance of the Racecourse advertising the license before it was approved.”

Councillor Ian Douglas of the licensing board then said: “I have serious reservation about granting these permissions.

“Some of the things Miss Miller has brought up leaves us with more questions. We basically have a tent with a canvas roof next to residential properties. If this was held on the racecourse side of the grandstand it would act as a noise buffer.

“I think serious consideration has to be made towards a different site. They should consider accommodating Mrs Heggerty in a nice hotel at their expense.”

After a short adjournment, Councillor Galbraith approved the license for December, 3 and December 10. If there are no noise issues reported by Environmental Health Officers then all other planned nights would gain a license. The other nights in question are December, 9, 16 & 17.

Colin McArdle is expected to DJ at the events.