Strict conditions slapped on new restaurant’s booze licence amid Milton Keynes residents’ anti social behaviour fears

People living near Dina International’s site in Cambridge Street were so staunchly opposed to the application for an alcohol licence that the issue had to be decided at a meeting of Milton Keynes Council’s licensing sub-committee.

Ron Haine, who chairs the Leon Residents Association, told the committee he was worried that off-sales of alcohol would mean that people who are banned from other venues would buy their booze from the new restaurant and cause problems.

But he added that he had “no problem” with it being a restaurant because most of the other restaurants in Bletchley don’t cause issues.

But another resident, Mrs Duthie, said “I’m not prepared to put up with noise.”

Applicant and landlord Bhavesh Rana, of Leicester-based Dina International applied for the premises licence to allow a new tenant to start the business.

His application also included seeking permission for “performance and dance” before the committee clarified that he only wanted recorded and disco-style activities, and not to bring in performers.

Mr Rana told the committee that he had scaled back earlier plans for the opening hours to 9am to 11pm from Sunday to Thursday and 9am to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

But he told the committee that those reductions were as far as he could reasonably be expected to go compared to other businesses in the area.

The town centre already has a number of takeaways and off licences.

There are also other alcohol licences at two restaurants in the same street, the nearby Captain Ridley’s Shooting Party Wetherspoon, a live entertainment venue, and three members clubs.

“We have tried to be as flexible as we can with the residents,” said Mr Rana.

“We are trying to obtain what we can to keep Bletchley thriving and bring that area up.”

The committee was told that initial objections from the police and the council had been overcome after the applicant agreed to conditions.

The sub committee of three councillors took half an hour of discussions in private to decide to grant the licence, including for off-sales.

But Cllr Mick Legg (Lab, Bletchley West), who was chairing the committee, said they had decided to impose extra conditions on the licence because it was close to the residents.

The business will have to pay for a noise limiter to cut off music if it gets too loud, and agree not to have more than three special events with music each month.