A residents' representative told councillors of the noise and disturbance faced by residents living near Queen Street.

Jo Edwards, who represents people living in the Priory Street area of Colchester, told councillors considering an application for the renewal of change of use for the second floor of Roman House that residents did not need another nightclub.

But members of the planning and traffic regulation committee were warned by their legal adviser they could not consider licensing issues when looking at the application.

Mary Fairhead (Con, Winstree) said the area, which is near tourist attractions, is very important to the town.

She added the building, at numbers 19 to 23 Queen Street, which formerly housed part of the Keddies department store, was an eyesore.

Councillors at last night's (Thursday's) meeting decided to defer the decision for more information.

They will look at issues such as crime and community safety to see if problems in the area have increased.

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