Concerns of people urinating and defecating in a nearby car park has prevented a shop from being allowed to sell alcohol.

The plans were rejected after the application was also found to be copied word-for-word from a document for another premises in Sheerness.

Medway Food Centre in Luton High Street will not be able to sell alcohol, after applicant Ali Akpinar failed to convince councillors he understood the local anti-social behaviour issues yesterday.

Kent Police was one of the public bodies to object to the proposal, as officers felt another off licence would “attract more street drinkers” with residents already complaining of people urinating and defecating in a nearby car park.

Licensing officer PC Chris Hill also said the initial application, submitted by agent Kenan Kara was “exactly the same” as another for a Kent premises.

A new set of proposed conditions was presented at the meeting by a second representative.

PC Hill added: “In its initial stage, there was no way this application would have got through because it’s simply a copy and paste from an application in Sheerness.

"When I look at this map of the area, you’ve got a red dot where licenses have been granted and Luton Road looks like someone’s got measles..." John Thorpe

“There’s no evidence whatsoever that any research has been done to try to obtain a suitable licence suitable for that area.

“I appreciate the amended one is an improvement on what we initially had, but in my view it still doesn’t promote those licensing objectives.”

Mr Kara defended the original document by suggesting conditions are “similar” across most licensed premises, but accepted it did not reflect that Medway Food Centre is in a “cumulative impact policy” area.

A petition containing 41 signatures was also presented to Medway Council, with concerns another premises licence would “lead to further crime, including knife crimes”.

Local resident John Thorpe said: “When I look at this map of the area, you’ve got a red dot where licenses have been granted and Luton Road looks like someone’s got measles.

“Everyone has got one – I just don’t see the need for it. I think you’re going to do very well without it.”

Graham Hopkins, the applicant’s second agent, rejected claims Medway Food Centre would act as a “magnet for street drinkers” as the applicant “doesn’t want those people in there that want a quick buzz”.

But the protestations were ignored, and the shop will open without the ability to sell alcohol.