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Residents concerned by pub's late closure plan

Matthew Critchell
Local Democracy Reporting Service
Google External shot of The Crown in Billericay. A mural of an animal wearing a crown is painted on one wall of the building, which sits on the corner of a road Google
The Crown in Billericay wants to extend its opening hours

Residents have said they fear anti-social behaviour will increase if a pub near their homes is allowed to open until 02:30.

The Crown in Billericay, Essex, currently closes at 01:30 but its owner, Greene King, has applied to keep it open for an extra hour.

One resident claimed if the venue was granted an extended licence it would be "a beacon to troublemakers and drug dealers".

Greene King said it was supporting its self-employed tenant and claimed the operator had successfully run the pub "for years as the proud heart of the local community".

Basildon Council has received 56 objections and 12 supporting representations after the pub applied for its licence to be altered.

At present, The Crown can offer alcoholic drinks, live and recorded music and late night refreshment until 01:00.

The proposed extension would see the conditions continue until 02:00, if the council approved the application.

However, some residents have complained to the council about possible increased noise and anti-social behaviour.

Writing in response to the application online, one said: "I am terrified at the prospect of this happening until 3am and beyond.

"Granting a licence until these ungodly hours will serve as a beacon to troublemakers and drug dealers. Crime will inevitably follow. I beseech you to reject this application."

Another complained the prospect of more people being drunk and disorderly outside the pub was unacceptable.

"If allowed this proposal would give local residents cause to fear for the safety of their homes and property," they claimed.

A spokesman for Greene King said: "The tenant is the longstanding operator of The Crown, who has successfully ran the pub for years as the proud heart of the local community in Billericay."

The application will be discussed at a later date.

This article was written by a trusted journalist and then edited for length and style with the help of AI, before being checked again by a BBC Journalist. It's part of a pilot.

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