PLANS for a new bar in Kenton Road have angered residents, who say another one would be the last straw.

Although planning officers urged the committee to refuse the application for the 350-capacity restaurant and bar, at a recent planning meeting the decision was deferred until June.

Councillor for Kenton West Jeremy Zeid (Conservative), who spoke at the meeting, was influential in getting the committee to reconsider, saying the area was fast becoming a 'ghost town'.

He said: "There is just no vitality in the area at the moment. If we don't grant this application this shop will sit empty. Although it can hold 350 people that is the absolute maximum and this will not happen. Shops come and go so quickly and if it remains retail the area will become a ghost town."

In the application for 174-178 Kenton Road it states that Blue Zoo would be a restaurant/drinking establishment - which would be open until 2am each night.

This has upset residents who feel there are already enough disturbances in the area because of a number of other bars.

Berna Grant, of Becmead Avenue, said: "There are already too many bars and restaurants in Kenton. It will add to parking problems, create more late night disturbances, car doors slamming, drunks urinating round the backs of shops and gardens of residents, and rowdiness as well as increased litter in the street.

"I am very upset, like other residents affected by this plan, particularly because we were not informed about the development."

Another issue that has concerned residents is the additional parking problems the new bar is likely to cause.

Mr Dhiraslal Shah, of Willowcourt Avenue, said: "Over the weekend we already have difficulty getting our car out of our own drive and parking generally is impossible. This will just make things worse."

The development management committee was split on the decision.

Councillor Marilyn Ashton (Conservative), chairwoman of the panel, said: "This is clearly a controversial and serious matter, but if we turn this down and they win on appeal we will have no say on hours or anything of that nature. At least this way we can consider these issues."

A majority backed plans to defer the proposal, and changes to opening times could be added to the application when it is reviewd.

It is expected that it will be reviewed on June 4.