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Residents toast win in booze shop battle

Nicole Kenny
22/ 8/2008

PLANS for a new off licence in Miles Platting were scrapped last week after local residents rallied against the application.

The application which was refused by Manchester City Council last Thursday included plans to turn a currently vacant property on the corner of Varley Street and Oldham Road into an off licence.

The plans were not only disputed by local residents but also Greater Manchester Police, environmental health, trading standards and local councillors.

Their main concern about having another local off licence is the fear that it would attract youngsters and anti-social behaviour.

Cllr John Flanagan, said: "The licence for a new off licence in Miles Platting was refused yesterday after a massive petition was carried out by local residents.

"Many people attended the meeting and there was six pages to the petition with 30 letters of complaint.

"We felt that the off licence was not needed and the owners of the off licences we have already after ten years know who the people are.

"We felt the new off licence would be a magnet for young children and also dangerous as cars would be pulling up outside.

"This is good for the community and we have all been singing from the same hymn sheet."

A total of 68 people in total complained about the application, including John Buckley who lives at Naylor Court.

John, who helped with the petition as the chairman of the Three Towers Tenants Association, said: "There is no justifying reason for another off licence in the area, we already have enough.

"It would mean more juvenile problems which we are turning around already in the area."

The applicant has 21 days to appeal against the decision.