I would like to inform your readers of important factors associated with the Licensing Act 2003.

All licensed premises, be they clubs, pubs, off licenses or restaurants, had to apply for their new license to supply alcohol to the public by midnight on Saturday, August 6.

At the same time they could apply for their hours to supply alcohol to be varied.

This has led to most public houses applying to extend their hours from 11pm to 12.30am or even 2am on the following day.

If no objections are made to such applications they will be granted automatically.

All that is required by the applicant is to place a notice on their premises in a position that can be seen by the general public, normally a window and to place a notice in a local paper of their choice.

If you live within close proximity to a public house which makes such an application you may not know about it. Residents are not given notice by Bexley Council of any such applications made.

If you do not see the displayed notice or visit the council's website you will be ignorant of what the future may hold!

A resident will receive notification of a building application that might affect their lifestyle but will receive no notification whatsoever about a situation that could ruin their lifestyle.

I am a member of the licensing committee and constantly hear from residents that they had no knowledge of a licensed premises' application that could seriously concern them.

I have made a request to the committee that notification should be sent to residents. At present no decision has been made!

There are ways for residents to object to such applications and they can even ask their local councillors to represent them at any subsequent hearing. The licensing Officers at Bexley Civic Centre will also assist with any enquiries.

But residents should be notified of all such applications whatever.

Alan Downing, councillor, St Mary's Ward, Civic Centre, Bexleyheath