A DECISION to refuse a Wharfedale garage permission to sell alcohol 'around the clock' has been hailed as a victory for common sense.

Shell had wanted a licence that would have allowed it to sell drink at its Pool Bridge filling station from midnight to 11.59pm every day - and late-night refreshments between 11pm and 5am.

The business is currently being redeveloped after the company was granted permission in June, despite a flurry of objections, to create a new sales building, replace its forecourt and add underground equipment.

That permission, however, was tied to trading hours of 7am to 10pm, Monday to Saturday, and of 8am to 10pm on Sundays.

Many of the objections that were lodged against Shell's alcohol licence application pointed out the discrepancy between its current trading hours and those it was seeking to sell drink.

That point seems to have been accepted by Leeds City Council's Licensing Sub Committee who, this week, decided to set the alcohol sale times to be the same as the business hours.

Councillor Barry Anderson (Con, Adel & Wharfedale), who expressed his concerns at Tuesday's meeting, had also outlined 'grave concerns' about the nuisance impact of late-night opening on neighbouring homes.

Speaking after hearing the decision, he said: "I am very pleased and happy with this outcome.

"It is a victory for common sense and compromise and also recognition by Shell that they had made an error in the application.

"It also shows, as well, that if a community works together it can achieve success.

"Now it is important that Shell and Leeds City Council work with the community in a mutually beneficial way in moving forward, as there are still some concerns about the impact of the initial planning application."

Pool-in-Wharfedale Parish Council had also opposed the application, citing, among other concerns, fears that it could lead to an increase in under-age drinking.

The garage stands opposite a children's playground and skatepark and councillors had reiterated their belief that selling alchol there "sets a bad example for young people that drinking and driving go together".