Catalogue of complaints against city suburb bars; Loud music after hours a headache for residents.

Byline: LUKE TRAYNOR

A COMPLAINTS dossier was revealed today to persuade council bosses to stop allowing more bars and restaurants to open on two "saturated" Liverpool streets.

The Daily Post yesterday reported how new pioneering proposals could soon see more applications for nightspots blocked on Allerton Road and Lark Lane, Aigburth.

Residents and ward councillors want to introduce a "cumulative impact policy", the first of its kind in the UK, to call time on more licensed premises.

There are 32 pubs, bars and restaurants on Allerton Road, and its surrounding streets, and 20 on Lark Lane.

Locals say the proliferation of nightspots on the two streets is destroying their quality of life with urinating, litter, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage major headaches.

Now, a report has shown how nearly 60 complaints of noise or bad odours were made by exasperated locals on or near Allerton Road and Lark Lane, over the last three years. There were 39 complaints relating to premises in the Allerton Road district, and 19 relating to Lark Lane.

One premises, Vinci, on Allerton Road, has been the subject of 23 separate complaints, leading to environmental health bosses taking formal action against the bar.

Pod, also on Allerton Road, was reported on four occasions and Mello Wine Bar twice, nearly all for having loud music at night, impinging on those living nearby.

Tirano, formerly owned by Liverpool FC defender Daniel Agger, on Lark Lane, was reported three times for playing excessively loud music after hours.

Que Pasa Cantina and Keith's Wine Bar were each reported twice for noise nuisance, or poor waste management, and customers standing outside the bar.

If passed, the "cumulative" policy will mean frustrated residents can say "enough is enough" when facing a new application.

Previously, objectors could only put forward arguments about the individual application, and the majority of new bar proposals were subsequently passed.

Police figures for criminal damage and violence rose by 75% between 2008 and 2009 on Allerton Road.

There were 60 cases of antisocial behaviour between June, 2008, and May, 2009, compared with 37 and 44 during the two previous 12-month periods.

On Lark Lane, incidents of violence and anti-social behaviour appeared to have fallen, with 79 between June, 2008, and April, 2009, down from 95, 103 and 90 incidents in the previous three annual periods.

Cllr Richard Kemp, ward member for Allerton, said: "The biggest complaint from people living in these areas is blocking pavements, noise and urinating in the street.

"It's a wonder that all these bars manage to survive with the recession that's going on.

"They are packed at weekends but pretty empty during the week."

Cllr John Coyne, ward member for St Michael's, near Aigburth, said: "We are keen to make progress on this issue of 'cumulative impact'."

Lark Lane licensed premises and food outlets AKIS Wine Bar; Chilli Banana; Elif; Red Fort; Andy's Fish & Chips; Romio's; Parkfield Inn; Negresco Sud; Takeaway Land; Esteban, New Regent; Tirano, Maranto's; The Albert; Local - Off Sales; Pistachio; Que Pasa Cantina, Keith's Wine Bar; Lark Lane Fishery and Pablo's.

Allerton Road food outlets, licensed premises YATES Wine Lodge; E8ght; Papa Johns - Takeaway; Bargain Booze; Fung Lok Rest'ant; South Bank; Leftheris; Domino Pizza; Bargain Booze; Vinci, Auberge; Home Bargains; Hampers; Plaice to Meat; The Square; Other Place Deli; The Gallery; Pod; Other Place Restaurant; Crichtons; Oddbins; Iceland; Eastern Diner; Caf Sekander; Mello Wine Bar; La Bussola; La Scala; Caf Mezz; Millon Restaurant; New York Caf Bar; Ark; Spire; Patio; Schmooze; Richmond Tavern; Penny Lane Wine Bar; Fogherty's and Tavern Company

CAPTION(S):

Liverpool council could agree new proposals that could block future bar applications on Allerton Road (above) and Lark Lane