A BAR'S APPLICATION for later opening hours has been refused.

Westhoughton Town Council discussed the prospect of extending hours to 00:30am Sunday to Thursday and 01:30am Friday to Saturday for the premises at 75-77 Market Street.

Councillor Derek Gradwell was the first to take issue with the application.

He voiced concerns that the glass roof of the town centre location would not provide sufficient noise insulation.

Councillor Bernadette Eckersley-Fallon agreed with the potential problems, describing the interior of the bar to have a narrow room which could easily become hot and require the doors to be opened, furthering the disturbance.

The councillors decided to refuse based "on noise and nuisance" out of respect to the residents who were there first.

The council concurred that although they would not accept the application as it stands, they would invite the new owner to bring forward their amendments.

Cllr Eckersley-Fallon added: "We had no option but to refuse.

"It would be a welcome addition to the high street, I would love the business to open. There just wasn't enough information."

The property was previously the bar Lounge Seven.

It is now being refurbished by the former owner of nearby pub, The Wheatsheaf.