A convenience store located next to an infant school in Chatham has been prevented from being allowed to sell alcohol.

Councillors said the application for JAJ Your Local Choice in Ordnance Street could exacerbate the issue of street drinking and anti-social behaviour in the area, which already has three off licences.

The headteacher of St John’s Infants says there have been “several incidents” of drugs being sold outside the school premises, and claimed it could get worse if the plan got the go-ahead.

In a letter to Medway Council, Joanne Collman wrote: “We want to live in a harmonious environment and I am sorry we feel it necessary to squash a local shopkeeper’s idea as we like to work alongside our community.

“However, in this instance we most certainly request wish that the request be denied in the interest of our children and families.”

The premises sits in a cumulative impact policy (CIP) area, which means applications are to be refused “in all but exceptional circumstances” to help reduce anti-social behaviour and nuisance.

Although applicant Jagdishbhai Manji Kerai was said to take the CIP “very seriously”, he admitted he had not read the document – before failing to recite the four licensing objectives upon request.

Local residents Paul and Sara Outred shared their fears of “intimidation and abuse from the area drunks” in an objection letter, having previously had to stop people urinating on their vehicle and walls.

It adds: “I had the misfortune to recently apprehend a severely drunken local man trying to smash the windows on my car while trying to break into it.

“Another shop selling alcohol can only increase the possibility of more crime.”

Agent Stewart Gibson said the shop would cater for customers who wanted to buy alcohol with their grocery shopping, adding those that do not are “cr*p premises” in the eyes of the public.

He told the hearing today: “We tend to forget, just because it’s a deprived area, there are an awful lot of self-respecting customers living in those areas.

“Not everyone is a thug, not everyone is a drunk, not everyone is a down-and-out – the majority of people are respected people. We’re trying to cater for them.”

Mr Gibson also tried to entice critics by adding a series of last-minute changes including reduced licence hours, not selling drinks above 5.5% ABV, and ensuring all alcohol was behind the counter.

But the measures were described as an “afterthought” by Kent Police licensing officer PC Chris Hill, and the panel unanimously rejected the application.