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Published: 23 July, 2010
by RÓISÍN GADELRAB

LATE night student drinkers are set to clash with neighbours and keep Pentonville prisoners awake, as plans for a late night bar extension in Caledonian Road have emerged.

Residents are gearing up for a battle against plans for the Eagle Pub – opposite the jail – to serve alcohol until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays, 1am on Sundays and until midnight throughout the week.

But neighbours fear the application is aimed at a growing student population moving into large developments of student flats in the area.

One resident, who lives in Carrick House, Caledonian Road, said: “This is a quiet part of the Cally, largely residential with some retail/offices. If the pub is granted these hours, residents sleep is likely to be disturbed. 

“The pub has no facility for outside smokers, other than the street. 

“During the time it was open previously it was very noisy with people spilling out onto the pavement to smoke and being noisy-drunk hanging about the street.”

He added: “The hours seem excessive for a pub that’s fairly remote from areas that are ‘destinations’ for people seeking late night entertainment so it represents a change in character to the location.”

Labour Caledonian ward councillors are backing residents and have lodged their own objection to the plans.

Councillor Paul Convery said: “I was wondering why someone would want to invest in a boozer in Cally Road when so many pubs are closing down – but it’s 150 metres away from a whole slab of student developments. 

“It’s right in the middle of a residential district. Residents want a decent night’s sleep. 

“Lots of people have been students and they know what being a student is like – hours of study followed by hours of play. 

“[Students] are highly socialised, gregarious and, amongst the population, most likely to smoke and listen to loud music. 

“If they want somewhere to socialise, it’s called the Student Union – it should be in the middle of a campus.”

He added: “You’re going to get tensions between people who want to put their kids to sleep at night and students.”

Cllr Convery also said there would be a high risk of crime and disorder because the likely clientele will not come from the permanent population, adding: “They will have little regard for good order and are likely to be drunk and behave in a disorderly fashion.”

By the end of this summer, there will be almost 800 student rooms at James Leicester Hall, 34 Market Road and Piccadilly Court at 457-463 Caledonian Road. 

Developers may also win an appeal against Islington Council’s refusal to grant planning permission for another 360 new student rooms at 465 Caledonian Road.

The Tribune attempted to contact the applicant but received no reply.

The public licensing committee hearing at Islington Town Hall is provisionally scheduled for August 2 and 4pm.