VILLAGERS fear anti-social behaviour will flare up again if a re-opened shop gets an off licence.

Sunderland shopkeeper Santokh Singh wants to sell alcohol at the Arcadia Convenience Store, in Arcadia, Ouston, near Chester-le-Street , from 7am to 9pm every day.

But residents are objecting to his licence bid because they are worried that it will lead to problems.

Durham County Council’s statutory licensing sub-committee will consider the licence application on Tuesday.

The application from Mr Singh’s solicitors says that he runs a shop in the Ashbrooke area of Sunderland without problem.

His plan will bring the shop back into use as it has been empty since February of last year when the Ouston C Mart closed.

He says there will be “robust policing” to prevent under-age drinking.

The shop will operate Challenge 21, have CCTV and keep a refusals book.

But objectors say problems associated with the previous business could return.

The sub-committee will hear that a petition saying there is no need for another convenience store selling alcohol has been signed by more than 50 residents.

The Villagers Association is also opposing the plan on behalf of residents.

Among the objectors is the local county councillor, Colin Carr.

He wrote to the council’s licensing department saying that allowing the off-licence would breach the licensing objectives of preventing public nuisance, preventing crime and disorder and protecting children from harm. He said: “The premises previously operated as a general store and off-licence.

“There was substantial public nuisance between the store and the nearby community centre and on open land surrounding the nearby school perimeter.’’ “Members of the public often felt threatened by youths who also created problems in nearby residential streets,”

Councillor Carr said the shop was at the end of the access road to Ouston Junior School and that pupils would have to pass the shop on their way to and from school.

“In addition, within half a mile of these new premises there are already two off-licence premises on the west side of the C5.

“Therefore additional premises will have an effect with regard to cumulative impact.”