COUNCIL chiefs could have to send more than 84,000 letters to residents as they deal with York pubs wanting to extend their opening hours.

A City of York Council report has revealed the authority is expecting a potential 720 applications for variation of licensing hours between February and November.

The report, to the Licensing Act committee on Friday, reveals officers have already sent out 1,053 letters after dealing with nine applications.

Although it concedes this could be an "overestimation", the ratio of letters to application would see the authority sending out 84,240 letters to residents in only a few months - costing it £17,000 in postage.

The figures were revealed as the authority prepared to hold its second sub-committee hearing - which considers the variations - today.

Up for consideration is an application to allow the Swan Inn, in Bishopgate Street, Clementhorpe, York, to stay open until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.

The Swan shuts most nights at 11pm, but in future also wants to open until midnight on Thursdays and also extend its drinking up time from 20 to 30 minutes.

If successful, the Swan, owned by Punch Taverns, would be the second city pub to change its operating conditions under the Licensing Act 2003.

Meanwhile, Ye Olde Starre Inn, in Stonegate, York, has applied to open its doors until 1am between Monday and Thursday, 2am on Friday and Saturday, and midnight on Sunday.

It has also applied to remove drinking-up time restrictions, allow credit sales and to allow limited entertainment.

Anyone interested in supporting or objecting to the bid must contact the council by June 26.

The Postern Gate, in Piccadilly, York, recently won the right to stay open as late as 3am on Friday and Saturdays and 2am every other day, despite warnings that a late opening would fuel York's problematic drink culture.

Earlier this month, the Evening Press revealed how more than 20 residents of Clementhorpe Court - sheltered accommodation next door to the Swan -signed a petition opposing the pub's application.

One resident said her neighbours were concerned that there could be an escalation of existing problems with late night noise in the area.

But another resident, Shelagh Edmond, who is secretary of Clementhorpe Residents' Association, said the pub was well-managed and she did not anticipate a later licence causing any problems.

If the pub is successful, councillors will have the power to impose conditions to address the concerns raised by residents or other authorities.

The hearing will also look at a varying application from Fulfordgate Club and Institute, in Heslington Lane, York.

Updated: 08:30 Thursday, June 02, 2005