Saturation zones for town centres
April 2006

Labour candidate Christopher Wellbelove

Lambeth Labour has pledged to act decisively to stop town centres, such as Clapham, from being swamped by pubs and clubs causing noise and anti-social behaviour.

Labour believes there is a need for a balance between the demands of revellers and the protection of residents in Clapham and other busy night-life areas. Late night disruption often prevents local families from sleeping at night whilst some drinkers cause criminal damage to the local area.

Should they win control of Lambeth Council at the May 4th Local Elections, Labour will declare a “Saturation Zone” in Clapham and other areas where local residents demand it. That would mean that there would be no more licences issued to new pubs or clubs in that area.

The right of a local council to declare a Saturation Zone was recently introduced by the Labour Government. The licensing Act gave local councils more power to control the local licensing regime. Unfortunately Lambeth’s Conservative-Lib Dem controlled council have refused to use those powers since they came into force in November 2005.

Clapham Town Labour Candidate Christopher Wellbelove said:

"The vibrancy of Clapham’s night-life is a local feature that nobody wants to take away, but the council must give proper consideration to families who live here. Quite simply there are just too many pubs and clubs in Clapham now and it’s time that the council did something about it.”

“Clearly Clapham’s Conservative and Liberal Democrat Councillors are prepared to sit on their hands and play lip-service to residents who are demanding action. A Labour Government has given council’s the power to react to local circumstances such as this, and it is only a Labour controlled council in Lambeth who will put those powers to good use.”

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