Leeds West Plans Panel will meet on Thursday May 15, to consider an application to convert a shop into a tapas and Spanish restaurant on the busy street.

New powers were introduced last year to combat drinking and anti-social behaviour in the form of a cumulative impact policy,
controlling the number of establishments able to sell alcohol on
Town Street.

However, although the proposal is contrary the policy, it complies with
the city's Unitary Development Plan and therefore would be difficult to justify refusal on planning grounds.

But there are already at least ten bars and restaurants on Town Street
and residents fear another would only add to the existing problems of antisocial behaviour.

Resident Linda Crabtree said: "I think there are too many bars and
restaurants along Town Street."

Jennifer Biggins, of Victoria Mount, said: "There is a lot of trouble
with people drinking and bringing their bottles out into the street at the moment."

Local MP Paul Truswell said: "Horsforth Civic Society and I campaigned
for some years with local people and councillors to get a cumulative impact policy to prevent the further growth of
licensed premises on Town Street because of the problems.

"Planning officers clearly recognise the application flies in the face of that policy, and it is a pity that the application
cannot be rejected on that basis.

"I trust that any application for the premises to have a liquor licence will automatically be rejected by the council's
licensing panel in the light of the policy we fought so long for."

Coun Chris Townsley (Lib Dem, Horsforth) said: "We are wanting to
curtail certain kinds of establishments which is why we have this
policy in place.

"Even if it would be nice to have a tapas place, it would be another bar
and another place will sell alcohol.

"I am not happy about this because we have got enough bars and restaurants now and it just sends out the
wrong message."

North West Outer Insp Simon Hepworth said Town Street was not a
major problem area.

"Horsforth is a safe and enjoyable place to go out for any evening entertainment and we hope that this will remain the case.," he said.

"Any new premises that open I hope would become a member of Pub Watch and I would look forward to building up a relationship with them."