A NEWPORT petrol station which is not currently licensed to sell alcohol has applied to be allowed to do so 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The application by Sinclair Services in Corporation Road, which is already open 24 hours a day, is due to be decided by Newport City Council's licensing sub-committee later this month.

But the plans have come up against opposition from people living in the area, with concerns around the impact on anti-social behaviour and other problems.

Lliswerry ward member Cllr Allan Morris said residents in the area frequently contacted him concerned about anti-social behaviour in the area, and he was concerned granting the application would make the problem worse.

“Anti-social behaviour and drug dealing by local youths, and others coming into the area, is a major source of concern by local residents, shared by the ward councillors," he said.

“It is not unreasonable or scaremongering to foresee the potential problems the opening of this premises throughout the night could cause.”

Cllr Morris added residents calling police on the non-emergency 101 number had reported a “woeful” response and he did not believe the installation of a new CCTV system would prevent problems from arising.

“There are few if any other premises in the area open throughout hours of the night as proposed by this application,” he said.

“Again, it is not unreasonable to predict that gangs of youths will be drawn to use it as a meeting or gathering place.”

Although Gwent Police had previously lodged an objection to the application, this was withdrawn after applicant, Port Talbot-based Sinclair Garages Ltd, agreed to operate a night hatch between 11pm and 6am and to keep all CCTV images for at least 28 days.

The council has also received 12 letters of objection from people living in the area, with Jayne Barnett of nearby Colston Avenue saying: "We have to put up with loitering on the street, also rowdiness and noise levels which is a public nuisance.

"We feel it can only get worse if young persons have access to alcohol 24 hours."

And Malcolm Morgan of Corporation Road said he "strongly opposed" the application and was particularly concerned about the potential impact on drink-driving.

"I firmly believe that garage forecourts and shops are the last place that should be allowed to sell alcohol at all," he said. "Never mind 24 hours a day."

"Surely this goes against police initiatives to stamp out drinking and driving, not to mention the number of lives lost to drink driving?"

An objection by the council's licensing department was also withdrawn after conditions requiring all staff to be fully trained under the Licensing Act, a 'Challenge 25' policy to be used and a log of every time staff refuse to sell alcohol to be kept were added to the application.

The plans will be discussed at a meeting of Newport City Council's licensing sub-committee on Tuesday, September 27. The meeting at Newport Civic Centre will begin at 10am and is open to the public.

To view the full report visit newport.gov.uk

Sinclair Garages Ltd could not be reached for comment.