NEWPORT Planning chiefs are slowly winning their battle against the increasing number of pubs and restaurants in the city centre.

Their rejection of permission to use the main post office building on Bridge Street as a licensed premises has been upheld on appeal by the planning inspectorate.

The owners of the post office, Quaystone Properties, applied for permission to use the building as a restaurant last summer, in case the Post Office did not wish to renew its lease.

The council's planning committee refused the plans in August 2001, saying the centre was in danger of becoming a theme park, with all the pubs and restaurants springing up.

The issue of a large number of licensed premises in Newport city centre has prompted calls from some councillors and traders for a push to attract more stores instead. Police have in the past voiced their concerns over the issue.

Planning chairman Councillor Ron Jones said at the time: "If the post office goes, and I hope it doesn't, we need to make sure when the building becomes vacant we don't have a big licensed premises in there.

The Post Office says it has no intention of uprooting and that it would be reapplying for a lease at the end of 2003.

The hearing was held on March 20. The planning inspector noted that the lease was due to expire in two years and that the appellant was safeguarding its position. But he agreed with residents who made representations about nuisance and anti-social behaviour they experienced from late-night revellers.

The inspector agreed there was evidence to show that an "unacceptable concentration" of licensed premises was in danger of being established in the area.

He concluded that the proposed use would cause "demonstrable harm" to the residential amenities of Baneswell, even with planning conditions.

He dismissed the appeal and refused planning permission.