BUSINESSMEN behind plans for a new nightclub in Kent say they will appeal against the city council’s decision to refuse them planning permission.

They are pursuing the venture after being granted a drinking premises’ licence for the venue location at Invicta House in Lower Bridge Street, Canterbury.

The club is the brainchild of Mario Morelli and David Taplin, who have launched a new company called Premier Nightclubs.

They want to create an upmarket, late-night venue, catering for older and more sophisticated customers.

The licence was approved by the council’s licensing committee on Monday, despite objections from Oaten Hill and District Society, which claimed the venue would lead to more drunken, anti-social behaviour late at night.

The committee granted opening hours until 3am after hearing how the club would be run and what measures would be taken to avoid noise disturbance.

Now Premier Nightclubs is hoping to overturn the planning decision.

The company points to the council’s own planning officers’ recommendation to approve the application as a strong point in its favour.

Mr Taplin said: “We have done a lot of research and there is a market for the upmarket kind of venue we want to provide.”

He said the company would spend around £1million refurbishing the first floor of Invicta House to create three distinct VIP areas, as well as a main dance floor, capable of accommodating up to 700 people.

Speaking at the licensing hearing, solicitor Jerome Dillon, for Premier Nightclubs, said security would be paramount.

This would include qualified door staff, CCTV at the back and front and experienced management.

Mr Dillon added; “There will be a strict dress code with no 'hoodies or trainer-shod scruffies’ let in.

“It will be a smarter, more sophisticated experience – you will feel quite comfortable going there even if you are aged 40 or 50.”

Paul Talbot, chairman of Oaten Hill and District Society, said many homes in Ivy Lane, Love Lane and Monastery Street, which fronted on to the pavement, would be blighted by late-night revellers on their way home.

He added: “I expect Premier Nightclubs will do everything in its power to prevent noise outbreak from Invicta House and control the behaviour of clients inside the building.

“But it is powerless to control their inebriated customers once they leave the premises.

“The area already suffers with night-time disturbance and the prospect of another late night premises on residents’ doorsteps has caused considerable

distress and anger.”