A former community hall which regularly holds late-night events in a built-up residential area of Newbury Park is causing “immeasurable damage” to the lives of those nearby.

People who live close to Netley Road Hall say they have been threatened by party-goers and regularly have to endure “excessive noise”. However, these have been branded as “outrageous” complaints by the hall’s owner, Shahid Hanif.

Member of the Perryman’s Farm Residents’ Association, John Bowers, whose property backs on to the hall, said: “Every event results in excessive noise, littering, poor parking and late-night disturbance, causing immeasurable damage to the lives of those people living nearby.”

Mr Bowers, who says the problems started in September, added: “We want the peace and quiet we are entitled to.”

Peter Stanway, speaking on behalf of Mr Hanif, said: “These complaints by residents are outrageous. They are completely out of control, and aided by two ward councillors.

“All my client wanted to do was hold banquets at the hall. He has very little control as the hall has been sublet and sublet again.”

Residents are calling for the porch – which they say is “an eyesore and totally out of keeping with the area” and the flue, which “acts like a megaphone” – to be removed from the hall.

Digital audio tape machines were handed out to residents last week to record any problems with noise coming from the former Royal British Legion club, which has been sublet by catering company, Rayyans, for the past two months.

Cllr Ruth Clark said: “There have been firecrackers thrown in the road, problems with groups congregating outside and generally a lot of noise.

“One man, who was asked to move his car from outside someone’s home, banged on the resident’s front door like a lunatic. Me and Cllr Vanessa Cole are working very hard to get this sorted.”

A council spokesman, who said it is “looking into the concerns raised by residents”, added: “The premises do not need a licence as the events being held are private. The council’s anti-social behaviour team can take action in relation to noise from inside the venue... and we are currently looking into this.”