The controversial licensing application for a sex shop in Kings Road is unlikely to be determined until February.

It had been anticipated the application would be dealt with at next week's meeting of the Licensing Appeals Panel.

However, that has become increasingly unlikely as the applicant, Cambridge based Bright Light Leisure Ltd, is still reviewing the huge number of protests submitted by residents.

Now the council is waiting to confirm when the matter will be considered by the panel, but it is not expecting to deal with the matter until the panel's meeting on Tuesday, February 24.

This week, Bright Light Leisure confirmed it was still seeking the go ahead to open a XXX Zone store - despite the level of protest within Brentwood.

Head of Environmental Health, Simon Bennett, said Bright Light Leisure boss Marc Lewis had exercised his right to view the representations made by opponents of the scheme.

Mr Bennett said: "Copies of the representations were couriered to the applicant before Christmas and I have suggested to him that it should be dealt with in February. We are still waiting for a response from him."

The licensing row has been rumbling on since October 16 last year when Bright Light Leisure Ltd first submitted its application for a license to operate a sex shop in the former mobile phone shop at the junction of Gresham Road.

Angry residents in nearby streets immediately mobilised to organise petitions opposing the establishment of a sex shop at the site.

Published Thursday January 8, 2004

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