PLANS to sell alcohol from a new shop in an empty garage site in Colne are being opposed by neighbours over fears it would fuel anti social behaviour.

Pendle Council has received an application to sell alcohol from the shop in Knotts Lane, Colne, from 6am until 11pm every day.

But a 50-name petition opposing the alcohol licence has been submitted, and a local residents group has also opposed it.

Derek Mann, chairman of Waterside Neighbourhood Action Group, said: “At our last meeting concerns were expressed regarding the application for an alcohol licence for a unit on the old Simpson garage site under the viaduct on Knotts Lane.

“The possibility of opening up a unit as a shop was generally welcomed however that it should be given a licence to sell alcohol from 6am to 11pm was strongly rejected as those living above the unit would suffer noise as it is positioned under residential apartments.

“Therefore the hours of trading should be restricted and no alcohol allowed to be traded.

“It was felt that the area has improved in terms of anti-social behaviour but more needed to be done and the greater availability of alcohol would not aid this improvement.”

The applicants have told Pendle Council: “Management and staff will liaise with the community police officer and will actively promote local crime awareness schemes.

“Management will allow posters relating to police crime reporting to be displayed at the premises.

“Challenge 25 will be operated at all times at the premises. Staff will act strictly in accordance with operating procedures to ensure that any person who looks or appears to be under the age of 25 will be asked to provide a form of identification to prove that they are over 18 years of age and only then will they be permitted to purchase alcohol.”

Pendle Council’s licensing committee will make a decision on the application when they meet on Thursday, from 10.30am at Nelson Town Hall.