A CONTROVERSIAL attempt to extend a pub’s opening hours until the early hours has failed, after a record number of public response to the plans.

Michael Kellas of the Cross Keys in Marlow was given the bad news shortly after yesterday's license committee meeting at Wycombe District Council.

Officers said the plans to close the pub’s doors at 4.30am on weekends drew "an unprecedented" number of letters, with 50 objecting and 78 in support.

Neighbours of the Spittal Street watering hole say they are already blighted with anti-social behaviour from customers leaving, and were worried the move would lead to a surge in crime and disorder.

At the day-long hearing, Mr Kellas argued the later opening would stagger exit times, with an hour-long drink up time, and overcome the current issues with crowds pouring out into the town centre at 2.30am.

However, Thames Valley Police objected to the move, saying there were more incidents at the Cross Keys than any other pub in town.

Officers also said they could not be sure Mr Kellas’s plan would work and were not prepared to take the risk.

Ben Clarke from TVP said: "We do, and have had up to this point, a good working relationship with Mr Kellas in all his endeavours.

"Our biggest concern is the fact that the disorder that is present already, is likely to continue at a later time.

"We do not know what people will do and by permitting people to drink longer each night, people will be entitled to do that.

"The Licensing Act was brought in to encourage this staggered exit culture, but as we all know it resulted in people starting later and staying out later and there is no guarantee that people will filter out."

Represented by a solicitor, Mr Kellas said he had seen his plan work in numerous pubs and clubs he has managed during his 30 years in the trade.

Solicitor Matthew Phipps said: "Mr Kellas has a genuine belief that this will improve matters.

"The issue is that, at or around closing time on Fridays and Saturdays, 100 plus people are leaving at the same time and that generates its own issues.

"This application allowing for an extended period will address that issue in its entirety."

Police said in the period from January to September, officers attended 15 incidents at the Cross Keys, with just two from three other Marlow pubs chosen as a comparison.

However, supporters came out in force to speak in favour, with customers and staff insisting Mr Kellas’s intentions were genuine.

Officers and councillors spoke highly of Mr Kellas's conduct and professionalism as a landlord, with an active role in safety schemes like Pubwatch.

But in the face of objections from Control of Pollution officers, police and scores of residents, the committee of councillors decided to throw out the plans.

Ian Pike, representing residents of Braemar Court, which is directly behind the pub, said the music from the venue is also a big problem.

He said: "If you live within 150 metres of the pub it can be intolerable, in lots of cases the bass can cause the floor to vibrate.

"My strong recommendation is the licence should not be extended and that any extension would exacerbate those problems for residents."

WDC leader Richard Scott also spoke against the proposal on behalf of residents.

A number of conditions were put forward by the Cross Keys, including the offer to provide street rangers to help move revellers on.

But these ideas - which included a hospitality card system for late-night entry to Marlow restaurant workers - were dismissed along with the application.

A decision notice detailing the reasons for the refusal has not yet been published.