B&NES’ Licensing Sub-Committee met last week to make a decision on an application for the provision of alcohol at the Shell Elm Tree garage, Westfield, which is currently undergoing refurbishment. It has been reported that now the application has been approved, alcohol will be available to purchase 24 hours a day.

However, the decision has sparked some controversy.

Residents living near the Shell garage in Wells Road, which will soon reopen with a Waitrose branch, have said that they believe anti-social behaviour, noise and litter are likely to continue into the early hours, and that revellers will head there after nights out.

Members of Bath and North East Somerset Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee said they had to consider the evidence before them, rather than potential future effects, and no formal complaints had been logged.

Speaking against the application, Wells Road resident, Margaret Warne, said: “We are a very diverse community, from tiny babies to elderly pensioners. This is going to impact terribly on them. The only quiet hours we have are when the garage closes.

“The BBC staged a Panorama programme in our park, focused on underage drinking. It’s taken us years to solve this problem. Giving the opportunity to buy alcohol at 3 a.m. is outrageous.

“It’s going to be the only place between Bath and Shepton Mallet that’s open 24 hours a day. We don’t complain now, because we are a community. If this goes ahead, we’re going to complain about every little thing.”

Greg Carpenter-George, also of Wells Road, said: “I moved to the area because it’s rural. I don’t think it’s necessary to have ‘city hours’ here. This is a cash cow.”

He said the existing problems of anti-social behaviour and noise subside when the petrol station closes, but if it is still open, drinkers will head there after having a ‘skinful’ elsewhere to buy more alcohol.

Mr Carpenter-George told the meeting he had collected ‘masses’ of litter in the footpath from next to his house that was ‘definitely’ from the petrol station.

Sarah Clover, the applicant’s barrister, said: “It is important to note this is not the first time the premesis has applied to sell alcohol. It’s been sold to date until 11 p.m.

“It’s been possible for the responsible authorities – including the police – to monitor the sale of alcohol and see if there are any effects on local people. They haven’t expressed any concerns at all.

“Residents have raised issues, and one would never dismiss those, but they simply don’t match anything in the premises’ own incident logbook. Wherever youths are obtaining alcohol from, it’s not here. They won’t be going to Waitrose. This isn’t cheap beer or cider.”

Ms Clover said Shell and Waitrose will both be keen to maintain their reputations in the area and will apply the ‘Gold standard’ to age checks.

She told the meeting the garage staff already conduct litter picks on and around the forecourt, but said it was impossible to determine where litter comes from, so it cannot take all the blame.

The Licensing Sub-Committee approved the extended hours.

Sub-Committee Chairman, Councillor Les Kew, said the decision could be reviewed in the future if issues are reported – but he hoped that would not be the case.

The shop will expand its range of groceries, including chilled beer, cider, wine and spirits behind the counter.