WORRIED residents have called on the community to join them in objecting to the opening of Woodford Broadway's first wine bar - as the deadline fast approaches.

People living on the exclusive Monkhams Estate are worried that The Vault will attract anti-social behaviour and noise to the area if it is granted an alcohol licence - and want as many people as possible to submit objections to the application before the closing date on Friday (November 6).

The owners of the proposed 150-capacity bar, which is close to completion on the site of a former flower shop, have applied for a licence from 11am until 11pm seven days a week - which campaigners say is unacceptable in a residential area.

They also claim the sign advertising the objections deadline was only displayed on the property this week - giving people little time to respond.

Mum-of-one, Elaine Selwyn, of Monkhams Avenue, said the bar could transform the character of the area.

She said: "I moved here about five years ago because it is so quiet, particularly on the weekends.

"The last thing you want is crowds of drinkers pouring out at closing time or hanging around in the streets.

"It's residents who will be affected by this, and yet none of us were notified about any objection deadline."

Shopkeeper, Irene Cooper, who has worked in the Broadway for nearly 20 years said the street was not a good place to open a wine bar.

She said: "It's not an ideal place to open a bar like that because it's such a quiet area.

"People are obviously worried about what kind of problems this could bring here."

Community campaigner Geoff Seeff said residents only found out about the plan when they were informed by a concerned neighbour.

He said: "No-one was told about this.

"People had a note put through their doors telling them that this was happening. They weren't given enough notice.

"We need people to object to this while they still have time."

Developer, Peter Southgate said: "This will be a top end traditional wine bar aimed at the over-25s market.

"It will be a basement bar so noise will be kept to a minimum. The idea is that this will be a place for couples to come to drink good wine and chat, not be drowned out by loud music.

"We made sure to display our licence application on the premises several weeks ago, in line with council regulations.

"I would be happy to speak to any residents who are concerned about this in any way."