THE DATE has been set for a meeting to decide the fate of plans to open a controversial underground bar, which prompted dozens of complaints and a 100-strong petition.

Councillors will meet on Friday January 22 to examine an application to open The Vault wine bar in The Broadway, Woodford Green, which currently has no other bars.

Developer Peter Southgate, along with his two business partners, want to open what they describe as a “traditional wine bar aimed at the over-25s market” in the basement of premises near the affluent Monkhams estate and Woodford underground station.

The committee will consider dozens of objections from local residents and businesspeople, who say the bar will attract unwanted noise and anti-social behaviour, along with the petition courtesy of community organiser Geoff Seef.

Check the Wanstead and Woodford Guardian and the Guardian series website for the outcome of the meeting.