Villagers have slammed a pub’s bid to stay open until 5am, saying that the local area has become “unliveable” due to noise and antisocial behaviour.

Greene King, which has applied to extend the Red Lion’s opening hours in Wooburn Green, rejected the claims, saying it is a ‘responsible operator’.

The pub chain applied for the venue, at 41 The Green, to be able to sell alcohol on New Year’s Eve until 5am on New Year’s Day.

Following representations, it has agreed to amend this to 2am and to make sure that doors and windows are closed when the venue is in use.

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However, the changes were not enough for some Wooburn residents who criticised the application as it was considered during a meeting of Buckinghamshire Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee on Wednesday.

Resident William Dempster claimed there was regular disturbance from smokers and drinkers at rear of the Red Lion.

He said: “Every evening we are subjected to unacceptable noise levels, antisocial behaviour, swearing, singing and shouting from the patrons who are allowed to use the rear area as they wish.”

He continued: “It has made the local area unbearable to live in, especially for residents who have small children like I do, who are unable to get a peaceful sleep on most occasions until 11:30 in the evening.

“The premises has allowed its patrons to carry on as if they were at an outside music festival. The local area has become unliveable. I implore the members of this meeting to refuse the extension of the licensing hours.”

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William Morgan, who also lives nearby, added: “The character of pubs changes after a certain point in the evening.

“You are asking us residents to accept that people will be arriving between 11 and 1’oclock in the morning to do only one thing. Drink, listen to music and enjoy themselves.”

Mr Morgan also said: “These people will all be tipping out into the street around Wooburn, which is a quiet rural village.

“We see broken glass, broken bottles on the pavement. That is not acceptable for a place like Wooburn Green.”

Matthew Phipps, of Greene King, said the main purpose of the application was for the pub to be able to play recorded music to mirror its operating hours.

He told the committee: “We are not seeking to disturb anyone… We don’t accept that this pub is anything other than well run.”

He added: “We are a responsible operator, and we are keen to be at the very heart of the community that we serve.”

He claimed that the licence – originally granted in 2005 – would not allow for the antisocial behaviour described by residents.

The licensing application for the Red Lion also seeks a variation for the garden area to allow an additional hour of trade in the mornings across all seven days.

It also seeks to allow the pub to be able to play recorded music until 1am on Friday and Saturday nights, as well as extending the permission for live music on New Year’s Day.

The committee is due to publish its decision next week.