IN the past, there were three nightclubs in Amesbury. You had large numbers of young people, full of testosterone and drink, tipped out into the High Street and Salisbury Street looking for transport home.

The result, each Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, was about three hours of total bedlam – numerous fights as you would expect and mass urination in the street.

Police (and often ambulances) were in attendance, but their numbers were limited then, probably even more so now, so that they could only monitor the situation and hope that their presence would prevent the worst excesses.

Local tourism suffered because visitors who stayed on Friday didn't stay for Saturday.

In January 2012 Paul Garland, 34, was killed by Daryl Talbot, a soldier. He was found in the New Inn car park. Daryl was later convicted [of man slaughter] and jailed. After this, soldiers were banned from Amesbury for some time. Two of the three nightclubs closed and relative quiet reigned.

In December 2017 there was a meeting at the New Inn to discuss the possible opening of another nightclub in the old bank at 18 High Street. Our town council discussed this in a public meeting where we [residents] could make representations. They then voted 10 to one against the plan with four abstentions (among them our local representative on the county council).

We then waited for word of the county council meeting, where we hoped to make further representations against.

The next thing we know is that the plans have been passed, allowing these premises to remain open until 2am. Apparently a local member must call the proposal in before it can be discussed. No one did so and the plans were passed with no discussion and no opportunity for local people to have their say. Democracy in action.

The nightclub is now open with entirely predictable results. The window at Domino's Pizza has been broken, no doubt the first of many, there is mass unrest with urination in the street and alleyways. Police and ambulances back on the streets. This before the anticipated influx of young soldiers to the area.

John Madeley

Amesbury