NOISE concerns have been raised after Poole Stadium submitted plans to expand its business by hosting a drive-in cinema on its facilities. 

The stadium, in Stadium Way off Wimborne Road, Poole, has submitted a licence application to BCP Council to host drive-in film events throughout the year, Monday to Sunday 11am to 2.30am. 

Showings would be broadcast direct to vehicles and would finish at 11pm. 

A maximum of three outdoor music events per year is also included in the application, with live music being proposed on Saturdays between 11am and 11pm, recorded music Monday to Saturday 11am until 11pm and until 10.30pm on Sundays as well as late night refreshments seven days a week from 11pm to midnight. 

Bournemouth Echo: Poole StadiumPoole Stadium (Image: Daily Echo)

Stadia UK, the operators of Poole Stadium, declined to comment. 

Cllr Andy Hadley, ward councillor for Poole Town, hoped the 2.30am finishing time was a typo.

He said: “I haven't got a personal problem with it and I have seen there is a lot of support for the application. 

“You do get a lot of people who complain about the noise and people who are sensitive to the speakers making loud noise and affecting the neighbours, and I do feel for the people who would be affected. 

“I’m sure if I get re-elected there will be people calling me who are having problems with noise. 

“But I hope the stadium will be sensitive to its neighbours.” 

Bournemouth Echo: Cllr Andy HadleyCllr Andy Hadley (Image: BCP Council)

He added the stadium would need additional ideas, especially after greyhound racing was cancelled during the pandemic. 

Gaming International said it was “regret and sadness” they had to permanently close the greyhound track after 23 years in September 2020. 

Restrictions on sporting events were to blame for the closure. 

Poole Speedway continues to host Poole Pirates, a motorcycle speedway team founded in 1948. 

A car boot sale is also hosted at the stadium every Sunday and bank holiday Monday, between 1pm and 4pm. 

The stadium has 500 car parking spaces on site, as well as a 3,800 registered stadium capacity and 1,547 outside seating space for an array of corporate and private event hire.