RENEWED calls have been made for the council to throw out an application for a controversial underground bar, as councillors prepare to make their decision.

A 100-strong petition and almost 30 letters were sent to Redbridge Council against the opening of The Vault bar in the basement of 15 The Broadway, Woodford Green, only a stone's throw from the affluent Monkhams estate.

Members of the Regulatory Committee will meet next week (Friday January 22) to discuss whether to grant the licence, with nearby residents unswerving in their opposition.

Barry Snowden, 65, of Kings Avenue, said: “We suspect that many people will come in groups by car, and the main problem will be parking because at night it's worse than during the day.

“There are also a lot of elderly people living nearby at the bottom end of Kings Avenue who might well be disturbed by the noise.

“A lot depends on how well it's managed and whether they can keep the noise and disruption to a minimum.

"The performance of Redbridge Council in keeping control of other bars in the area, such as in South Woodford, doesn't leave one with a great deal of encouragement that it's all going to be looked after.”

Norman Murray, 79, of Monkhams Drive, said: “We're quite fearful of something like what has happened with Funky Mojoes happening in our area.

“Inevitably when people spill out when the bar closes, however much management try to control them, they can't do anything once they leave the building, especially with the number of people they claim to be catering for, there'll be noise disturbance and all the other things associated with drinking.

Geoff Stimpson, chairman of the Woodford Green Amenity Group, said: “As far as we can see there's no need for somewhere to have a drink round there because there are a number of restaurants.

“What we're also concerned about what might happen with the house of the licence. They're applied for an 11pm finish but if it's successful then they might apply to have it opened later and later, as we saw with Funky Mojoes in South Woodford.”

The Guardian was unable to contact Mr Southgate for comment.

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