A TOP cleric is furious after a hen party caused an unholy row at Christchurch Priory’s former-Vicarage.

The Rev Canon Charles Stewart wrote a letter to the chair of the borough’s planning committee to voice his outrage about the party that took place over the weekend.

Local councillors received phone calls from Mr Stewart and other angry residents during the party at Quay Corner.

Mr Stewart said in his letter that the building redevelopers may have broken their planning application agreement from 2015.

There were fears from residents at that time that the redevelopment of the building would result in it becoming a ‘party house’.

Ward Cllrs Peter Hall and Wendy Grace were notified by residents of the issue and will raise it at the borough’s planning meeting today.

Cllr Hall said: “The vicar of Christchurch was most annoyed because the planning conditions were quite clear that there would be no stag or hen parties taking place.

“Unfortunately I went round and could see quite clearly that it was a hen party. The noise was really unacceptable and it’s not good enough. It got noisier as the night went on.”

Resident Ian Penny made a phone call on the night to alert Cllr Hall about the noise levels.

He said: “I was not happy with the sound coming from what was the old Vicarage. We did argue the case that no stag or hen parties should be there and I think it’s against planning permission, hence why I phoned the councillor.

“The reason that was put in was to make sure that the locals were not disturbed by these sort of parties which happen in these large houses, otherwise it could end up as a party house.”

Chair of the planning committee Cllr Lesley Dedman commented: “The council will have to deal with the problems that Mr Stewart has pointed out.”

The building’s redeveloper Tony Sweeney said he was aware that there had been a noise complaint, but

did not know it was caused by a hen party.

Mr Sweeney said: “We make it very clear in our rules that no hen parties are allowed. Our manager met them when they arrived and there was no indication that they were a hen party. If they had of been we would of told them that they couldn’t stay.

“It would be very unfortunate if one has managed to slip through the net. If there has been a hen party at the property then they have been in breach of our agreement with them and we will withhold their deposit.”