A TRENDY Southampton bar has been refused a new music and dance licence after residents complained the move would increase noise nuisance.

Managers at the Lizard Lounge in Bedford Place had applied to Southampton City Council for the licence, which would have allowed it to remain open until midnight from Thursday to Sunday.

Bosses then planned to apply to licensing justices for a special hours certificate which would have allowed staff to continue selling alcohol after 11pm.

Police, fire and rescue service officers and council planners had not objected to granting the licen-ce to the popular bar, which has recently reopened following a refurbishment.

But the plan was blocked yesterday after City Council licensing chiefs heard evidence from residents about how later opening would harm their quality of life.

Lorraine Barter, chairman of the local residents' action group, said: "We told the panel about how awful it can be living in the area and how we have to sleep with our windows shut because of the noise.

"Usually, we can get a couple of hours' sleep between when the pubs shut and the clubs kick out - but the proposed midnight closure would have been right in the middle of this gap."

Mrs Barter has previously compiled video footage of antisocial behaviour around the Polygon area at night, where she regularly sees the trouble at first hand.

"In this case, there was no film or direct evidence as the venue has been closed for a couple of months. It just shows what clout the residents can have in matters like this," she said.

Southampton City Council received five letters of objection from local residents, all citing noise and antisocial behaviour as their cause for concern.

The Daily Echo understands the Lizard Lounge is likely to appeal against the refusal by the Licensing and Public Safety Panel.

No one at the bar was available for comment.

Meanwhile, residents will have to wait to hear whether or not another Southampton pub will be allowed to extend its hours.

Bosses at The Mitre in Portswood Road have applied to extend their Friday and Saturday night opening times from 1am to 2am. Councillors had been due to determine the application yesterday but the item was adjourned until a future meeting, expected to take place next month.