Police block JDW pub plan
Police have blocked an attempt by JD Wetherspoon to open a pub on Cambridge Leisure Park.
City magistrates have backed officers after they claimed another pub on the park would stretch resources too far.
The move came after city councillors supported the plan.
It is the existing problems with anti-social behaviour and crime on the park that has led to this decision, not fears that a new Wetherspoon's would add to themNathan Wall, operations director at Wetherspoon.
Superintendent Simon Megicks, deputy divisional commander, told the Cambridge Evening News: "We are pleased with this ruling. This case involved a rigorous analytical process and evidence from a number of officers. I would like to take this opportunity to thank those officers for all their hard work in preparing the file for this successful case.
"We had great concerns that this new public house would increase anti-social behaviour and as such had a duty to the public to ensure we took the necessary action.
"This ruling has set a national precedent and we will continue to work with the local authority and partner agencies to do all we can to ensure the streets of Cambridge are a safe place for those who are living in, and visit, the city."
The Leisure Park has 14 licensed premises, including a bowling alley, hotel and The Junction nightclub.
The police revealed that it accounts for three per cent of violent crime in an are that stretches to Littleport and the Hertfordshire border.
Police hired barrister, Jeremy Phillips to contest the application before the magistrates in January. When that failed, they took Wetherspoon and the council to court.
Nathan Wall, operations director at Wetherspoon, claimed the decision was actually a "backward compliment."
He told the Cambridge Evening News: "It is the existing problems with anti-social behaviour and crime on the park that has led to this decision, not fears that a new Wetherspoon's would add to them.
"It is still very disappointing though."
