OUTRAGED and frustrated residents are fighting plans for a new off licence.

Hundreds of signatures have been added to a petition in the battle against a licensing application submitted for the store on Oak Lane, Manningham.

In a strongly worded letter to the panel, residents from nearby Bertram Road say the problems of litter, parking, crime and indecent behaviour would be exacerbated by the shop.

It says noise levels after 9pm are "continuously disturbing" the sleep of children.

"The sound of shattering bottles in the early hours of the morning disturbs most of the residents and their children," the letter says.

"The sound of loud banter and slurred speech during the night disturbs both the working people and the younger children.

"A resident has complained how her nine-month-old baby is continuously disturbed by the sound of people intoxicated during early hours in the morning.

"This off licence will only add to the problem and interfere with the lives and comfort of the residents."

The residents, some of whom are shown in the photograph but asked for their faces not be shown, also fear the off licence will "add to the high levels of crime that is already occurring in the area".

The letter says 'indecent behaviour' occurs on a day-to-day basis by "intoxicated" people.

It says: "There are incidents where they have urinated publicly, been aggressive and used foul language with residents passing by them in the street. This has caused fear within the residents to try to resolve the situation."

Councillor Sarfraz Nazir (Lab, Manningham) has also raised concerns.

In a letter to the planning panel, he says: "My ward is one of the most deprived wards already in terms of employment, education attainment, and other factors which are used to determine deprivation.

"As a resident who lives in the area I see daily individuals who have lack of opportunities sitting around off-licences drinking from morning to night."

He adds there are already three off-licences a "stone's throw" away from the application site and questions what will be done to tackle anti-social behaviour and littering in the area.

"I would urge the panel to refuse this application on grounds of increased traffic issues with no parking around the front of the building," he says.

"The resulting and increased anti-social behaviour in the area and with diminishing support resources, there needs to be thought given to what negative impact there will be.

"I am supportive of any new business opening in the area however this needs to be balanced against the impact locally."

Signs for the 'Lukas Market', along with an off licence sign, have already been put up at the site. The application will be discussed when the Bradford District Licensing Panel meets tomorrow in City Hall at 1pm.