Lib Dem Councillor demands tougher licensing for Headingley Pubs

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Sat 2nd Oct 2004

The Headingley area should be treated as a special case when it comes to the issuing of new alcohol licenses, says Liberal Democrat Councillor Martin Hamilton, Chair of the North West Inner Area Committee representing residents in Headingley, Weetwood, Kirkstall, and Hyde Park & Woodhouse.

Cllr Hamilton (Lib Dem, Headingley) said "The boom in the Headingley student population has led to massive growth in both the number of bars and their opening hours in recent years. As a result there are queues for taxis and fast-food takeaways, and problems of noise, litter, and general disruption from drinkers in what is still a residential area."

"The new Licensing Act allows Councils to remove limits on pub and club licensing hours, but this could put even more pressure on Headingley. As Chairman of the Area Committee covering Headingley, I've written to the Council calling for a special licensing policy here."

"This would cover the area from Woodies in Far Headingley down to the Original Oak and Skyrack and allow for a tougher stance to be taken here than elsewhere in the City."

"Whatever the Government may think about it, Headingley residents have made it clear that they don't want any more late night drinking establishments. The problems faced in Headingley mean that the whole area has to be treated as a special case."