COUNCILLORS have spoken out against a restaurant having its license extended until 1am.

Thurrock Council's licensing committee was asked to allow the Kara Lounge and Grill in Fleming Road, Chafford Hundred, which currently shuts at 11pm, to stay open to 1am and 2am on New Year's Eve.

The venue would also provide performances of dance, live music, recorded music, late night refreshment and the supply of alcohol for consumption on and off the premises.

Residents living nearby have opposed the application.

Speaking at the committee meeting Cllr Val Morris-Cook, Labour councillor for Grays Riverside said: "I do believe there is currently public nuisance which in my view is parking.

"Any time you go past the restaurant from lunchtime through there are cars everywhere.

"I do believe that is antisocial because of the parking. If you live next door or opposite you have no opportunity to park where you should be parking."

Cllr Sue Shinnick, Labour councillor for South Chafford, added: "These disturbances would only be worsened by the proposed 1am closing time and the possibility of a 2am closing time on New Years' Eve.

"The residents have raised valid questions regarding the suitability of the location of such an establishment especially in a quiet residential neighbourhood and the transformation of this restaurant into a nightclub

The restaurant has been open since 2002. It was formerly a Chinese restaurant and its previous licence was until 2am. The committee heard there had been no complaints against the restaurant from police or environmental health.

The committee heard the previous license lapsed for administrative reasons.

Agent David Dadds "You might move next to a pub that's fairly quiet and it might then change its tenancy and becomes much more popular. The thing is when you move next to a pub. If you know it has a licence until 2am then you know potentially it could trade to 2pm.

"Every resident here has come after we have been there with a licence to 2am in that location. That location has been approved for possibly 16 years to those hours."

The applicant was told they would be informed of the committee's decision within five working days.