A decision whether to grant a licence for a new pool club will now take place next year after opposition from residents.

Townhead residents had expressed disapproval at last Wednesday’s Irvine Community Council meeting, saying they hadn’t been made aware of the planning application before it was passed.

One resident said: “The people of Townhead weren’t involved because of being more than 20 metres from the building”, with another adding:

“Everything’s been passed at planning the only way to stop it is to stop the licence.”

However other Irvine residents have expressed support for the pool club when consulted by the community council on social media.

The 8 Ball pool club is looking to open until midnight Monday to Thursdays and until 1am Friday to Sunday, with alcohol on sale for consumption on and off premises.

It also seeks permission to hold functions, plus selling cold food but seeking hot food licence. Plans were previously approved for the subdivision of the old Andrew Wright building at 21 Townhead to form two units – to include the use of Unit 1 as a pool club back in October.

Irvine South Councillor Robert Foster said: “The decision didn’t go to the planning committee at all but it had been approved by delegated decision.

“I would have expected a new premises in the town centre to have went to the planning committee, I’ll be asking the question to council officers why it didn’t.”

Vice chair Tristan Lyndsay said there had been complaints over the necessity for such extensive opening hours, parking, an objection about alcohol being sold, anti social behaviour and over provision.

Secretary Amanda McFarlane said a number people on the list of notified residents said they had been unaware or they would have objected.

Seventeen residents voted opposing the license with none in attendance voting in favour, with community councillors backing residents against the licence.

The decision was to go before the Licensing Board on Monday next week but they will now consider the case in February 19, after the board requested a report from the chief constable detailing all cases of anti-social behaviour and complaints made to Police in the vicinity of the premises in the previous year.