A CAFÉ bar accused of “flying in the face” of licensing rules has been stopped from extending its opening hours amid residents’ complaints.

Crowded House in Manchester Road wanted to stay open until midnight every night but had its application refused last week.

When it was granted planning permission in August, the restaurant was only allowed to operate from 9am until 10pm on most days, and close no later than 11pm on Saturdays.

In November, licence holder David Banks asked the planning department to change the restaurant’s operating hours to 7am until midnight.

He also wanted the hairdressing salon on the top-storey of the terraced property to close at 7pm, an hour later than originally agreed.

However, neighbours told the council that the premises often remain open past its permitted hours.

Planning officers decided that extending the opening hours would be “seriously detrimental” to the residential amenities of nearby occupiers.

The decision notice specifically identified noise, smell and disturbance associated with the proposal as the reasons for refusal.

The venue was given a written warning by council chiefs last summer after it was found to be breaching its licence by leaving tables and chairs outside after 7pm.

But two months later, the venue was granted permission to leave the furniture in place until 10pm.

At a licensing hearing in September, Mr Banks admitted the venue had failed to adhere to the condition but said it was purely to improve customer service.

On neighbour who wrote to the council about Crowded House’s latest request said that the venue never closes on time and sometimes stays open until 11.30pm.

The resident warned that allowing the venue to close at midnight would mean it would stay open until 1am.

The letter said: “Closing at 12am will become 1am and I am concerned as the premises ignores all warnings and rules. It is becoming a nightmare and is on a level with the previous pub next door due to people and taxis leaving noisily at night.”

Shutters opening before 6am wake neighbours up and makes a lot of noise at closing time, the letter added.

Planning officers refused the application on January 25.