Petrol station gets alcohol licence despite objections (From Maldon and Burnham Standard)

Petrol station gets alcohol licence despite objections

11:51am Thursday 9th July 2009

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RESIDENTS have lost their fight to stop a petrol station getting a licence to sell alcohol.

Malthurst Fuels Ltd had applied for a licence to sell alcohol at the site in Broomfield Road, Chelmsford.

But despite their protests, councillors at a licensing committee last week agreed the application for alcohol sales from 6am to 11pm on Mondays to Saturdays and 7am to 10pm on Sundays.

Dr Jamie Hacker-Hughes speaking on behalf of the objectors said they felt they had achieved a “75 per cent victory.”

This was because the applicants had withdrawn an application for a 24 hour alcohol licence and a night time refreshments licence which he claimed was as a result of massive local opposition.

A total of 124 signed a petition against alcohol sales and 55 letters of protest were sent to the council.

However councillors on the licensing committee said they would grant the licence as they were satisfied with the steps the applicant was taking to promote the four licensing objectives.

Recent case law had shown that a decision to refuse an application needed to be based on actual evidence rather than fears of what might happen as a result of the licence being granted.

The committee also noted that none of the responsible authorities had made representations.

CCTV is also to be installed.

Dr Hacker-Hughes said after the meeting that residents would now be actively monitoring all alcohol-related incidents on the site reported to Essex Police and keep a log of all incident numbers to be used in the future if the residents' fears are realized and there is an increase in crime and disorder, public nuisance and antisocial behaviour as a result of the licence being granted.

The petrol station was given planning permission to re-open earlier this year.

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