LETTERS objecting to a new £18m sports complex being allowed to sell alcohol and provide entertainment have been submitted by locals fearful it could become a crime hotspot when it should be promoting health and fitness.

Pitching itself as one of the region’s top sports centres, the Middlesbrough Sports Village will offer a 400m track, 250m outdoor velodrome and four five-aside synthetic turf pitches as well as a gym, indoor sprint circuit and sports hall with seating for 300 spectators.

It is also aiming to becoming an entertainment venue hosting events including wrestling matches, live music, dance festivals, plays and films.

No boxing matches will be held without prior approval of Cleveland Police.

Applicant Middlesbrough Council is requesting a premises licence valid Mondays to Sundays from 7am to 11pm with permission to sell alcohol Mondays to Sundays from 11am to 11pm.

Letters from three concerned couples have been received by the council’s licensing sub-committee due to discuss the issue at Middlesbrough Town Hall on January 27.

Norman and Linda Wilson wrote: “We feel that the provision of entertainment and the selling of alcohol at the facility, which is promoting health and fitness, is totally wrong.

Andrew and Kay Day penned: “Granting a licence would provide a further source of alcohol within an area already so heavily populated with licensed premises that crime, disorder and public nuisance have already been recorded at problem levels."

While Jean and Frank Wood pointed out that there were already eight outlets selling alcohol nearby Marton Road, where the sports complex is located.

“We both believe that if a licence was granted it would be the cause of public nuisance from alcohol intake along with noise and antisocial behaviour therefore causing many problems and much distress to many residents."

The council’s application says that to prevent crime and disorder it would have CCTV facilities covering internal and external facilities and areas not in use could be locked. All outside doors and windows will be kept closed when entertainment is being held and no alcohol would be permitted outside the licensed areas of the complex so not to cause public nuisance, the application added.

When the project was announced elected mayor Ray Mallon said: “ “Middlesbrough’s sporting facilities are an important part of the fabric of the town, and they mean a great deal to the people who live and work here.

“The ambition is to create a new iconic, regional sports destination which will attract people from across the town and further afield for generations to come.”