Off licence would make bad situation worse say neighbours

Eight have written to Rother District Council to register their objections ahead of hearing by the authority's licensing panel on January 8.

One couple who list the current problems for panel members say an off licence the area would "just make a bad situation even worse."

The ground floor premises at Wellington Place, on the junction with Reginald Road are currently vacant.

The licensing panel will be advised that the premises are in a residential area with a car sales area next door and a martial arts club above.

No objections have been received from Rother planning department, the council's noise team or health and safety team.

East Sussex Fire and Rescue are not objecting, nor are police, though the force licensing officer is requesting that if the application is successful a CCTV system should be installed.

But residents living nearby in both Reginald Road and Terminus Road have made their objections clear '“ and their current problems.

One couple have written saying: "We live a few yard from these premises and suffer enough aggravation most weekends and weekdays from members of the public vandalising cars, shouting, arguing, leaving empty (or not) cans and bottles in gardens.

"We do not need any more outlets selling alcohol when there is Bar One, Sainsburys. Unwins, West Station and Tesco Express all within a short distance of each other.

"Also, young people going to a martial arts club above the premises and as this is a residential area parking is always a problem."

The views are echoed by other neighbours.

Another couple say: "Having seen the parking chaos which is caused to shops at the end of Windsor Road, we consider it to be madness to encourage similar problems in Reginald Road, which is already a congested area."

They say residential Reginald Road already has "its fair share of night-time disturbances and unwelcome behaviour.

"An off licence is likely to become a focal point for further incidents of this kind and a gathering place for groups of local youngsters including under-age drinkers.

"Situating an off-licence in this shop seems ludicrous and completely at odds with its neighbours upstairs; a martial arts club where young people and children are in an out of the club regularly during the evenings."

The writers fear the young people will be exposed to anti-social behaviour and that an off licence would put a further strain on the parking situation, particularly when the nearby Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses was holding meetings.

Another couple say they understand the planned opening hours would be from 9am to 11pm and fear late-night disturbance.

Others add: "We are already plagued with noise pollution from rowdy drinkers who convene in the bus shelter on Terminus Road opposite our house.

"We are kept awake at night by large groups who gather there drinking and we feel that opening an off licence on our road will jus make a bad situation even worse'¦"