OPPONENTS of a new off-licence in Crowland claim it could fuel street drinking, but a licensing panel still gave it the go-ahead.
Kasim Shafiq opened a grocery store with his family at 6 West Street just over a month ago and was given consent on Tuesday to sell alcohol there.
Opponents including Crowland Parish Council and David Ringham, from Crowland Neighbourhood Panel, say street drinking is already a problem.
There are two off-licences, the Co-op and Spar, and a pub directly opposite Mr Shafiq’s premises.
Mr Shafiq originally applied to sell alcohol from 8am-11pm, but offered at the hearing to close an hour earlier after learning the existing off licences shut at 10pm.
A letter from the parish council said: “There are problems within the town during the evening with anti-social behaviour and much of this, especially later in the evening, is alcohol related.”
The council was also worried about under-age drinking.
Mr Ringham told the panel: “We feel that there are enough outlets for the alcohol to be purchased in the town and that another, particularly close to a trouble ‘hot spot’, ie Trinity Bridge, would cause increased anti-social behaviour.”
Licensing panel member Coun Christine Lawton asked: “Do you feel that an extra premises would mean that more alcohol would be sold?”
Mr Ringham replied: “Yes, I do believe that would be the case.”
He said it was amazing where teenagers got their money from – and others will buy drink for them.
Parish council clerk Brenda Stanojevic said the parish council objected to a third off-licence but not to the business.
She said: “I hope the business thrives in Crowland whatever happens.”
Panel chairman Coun Malcolm Chandler announced the application was approved with conditions including opening from 8am-10pm, installation of an approved CCTV system and compliance with under-age drinking policies.
Home Office guidance states the “need” for licensed premises is a matter for the planning authority and the market – and not part of the panel’s role.