ANOTHER bar has been refused planning permission to extend its hours in line with its new alcohol licence.

OHM, Albion Road, Bexleyheath, is the latest licensed premises which had hoped to open later, after winning permission from Bexley Council's licensing committee to serve drinks until the early hours.

But, as in previous cases, its opening hours were also restricted by its planning permission.

OHM was granted a new licence in September last year, allowing it to serve alcohol until midnight Sundays to Thursdays and 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, and it applied to change its opening hours to match.

Its existing planning permission allowed the bar to open until midnight Mondays to Saturdays and 11.30pm on Sundays.

The application attracted large-scale opposition from police, residents, ward councillors, David Evennett MP and London Assembly member Bob Neill.

They were concerned about disorder on the streets from late-night drinkers and the lack of public transport in Bexleyheath town centre in the early hours of the morning.

Benita McMullan, of nearby Oaklands Road, told last week's planning committee the noise and disturbance from late-night drinkers caused constant upset and stress to residents.

Councillor John Eastaugh agreed and said: "We reached saturation point in the Broadway several years ago."

He added: "Enough is enough."

In recent weeks, Lloyds No1 bar, also in the Broadway, and Barnehurst Golf Course, Mayplace Road East, Barnehurst, were refused permission to extend their hours in line with their new alcohol licences.

The licensing sub-committee's considerations are limited to issues such as public safety, protecting children and the prevention of crime and disorder.

But planning committees can also consider the effect on residents and on the character of the area.

All three cases to go before the planning committee were turned down because of the noise and disturbance caused to residents.

OHM and Lloyds No1 were also refused as they could set a precedent for other applications which, together, could cause "an adverse and unacceptable impact" on residents and the environment.