A top Colchester tourist attraction's bid for the green light to sell alcohol and play music until late at night has sparked a debate among residents.

Colchester Zoo has applied to the city council to be allowed to sell alcohol and play recorded or live music from 9am to 11.30pm throughout the week. 

Residents have voiced mixed views on the news, with some supporting the application and others objecting. 

A Maldon Road resident said: “This is a residential area with many surrounding homes, already adversely affected by the business conducted at the zoo from traffic jams and noise pollution from tannoys and crowds. 

“The level of noise produced by music events would create a public nuisance and impede upon the right to privacy. 

“This would also clearly be extremely distressing for the animals under conservation here. This is supposedly a conservation project, not an entertainment venue. 

“The danger to intoxicated pedestrians on an already busy and dangerous road should be of extreme concern to the local authority if this licence is granted.

"Not to mention the potential for crime and public intoxication for those leaving licensed premises late at night with no option but to either walk or commit a drink/driving offence on already hazardous country roads.” 

Other Colchester residents have supported the application, saying it could help the zoo “thrive”. 

In the application, Colchester Zoo says it will train its staff in relevant age restrictions, as well as how to recognise signs of drunkenness and how to deal with customers when service is refused. 

To prevent crime and disorder, the zoo has offered to log complaints and incidents for checks on demand by the authorities. 

Age checks will be enforced along the Challenge 25 scheme and “alcohol supplied in the retail area will be sold in sealed bottles for consumption off the premises”. 

Bosses at Colchester’s licensing committee will discuss the application at a meeting next week. 

A Colchester Zoo spokesman said: "Colchester Zoo currently holds a premises licence for part of the zoo but this variation would open up more opportunities for seasonal events, including our ever-popular Trail of Terror and Enchanted Trail of Light.

"For example, visitors will be able to enjoy mulled wine in a number of different locations rather than just at the main restaurant at the top of the Zoo.

"The licence will also enable us to host private functions in our Kalahari theatre. All the events we host help to raise vital funds for conservation both here at the zoo and worldwide, which always remains at the heart of what we do."