PLANS to build a new VIP lounge for an Oxford nightclub have been turned down by councillors.

The application, by Clementines in St Clement's Street, East Oxford, had been recommended for approval by Oxford City Council planning officers.

But members of the council's east area committee said last night they were not convinced that the proposal would not cause noise disturbance for people living in nearby York Place and sheltered housing in Anchor Court.

Mary-Jane Sareva, who represents the area, said: "I have actually received a lot of complaints about noise, fighting, shouting in the streets and there are issues there.

"There is only a wall between these premises and a house next door, even if it is extra thick, and I do have concerns about noise going through to the other building."

The application was to convert part of the adjacent hairdressers into a VIP lounge area catering for up to 20 people.

Craig Simmons added: "People will naturally start congregating at the back and I'm not sure there is anything they can do to stop that."

Of the six councillors on the committee, two voted to refuse it and one to approve it, with three abstentions.