A large group gathered outside the Lebanese Grill in Leather Lane

PEOPLE living near a popular kebab shop have called on the council to revoke its late-night licence tonight after complaints about noise, litter and smoke.

Councillors were due to meet last night, Thursday, to rule on a licence review of the Lebanese Grill in Leather Lane, but first had to wade through a 380-page report packed with accounts of late-night disturbances, messy streets, and a smoky extraction flue blackening brickwork.

The hearing has been triggered by environmental health officers who said warnings had been ignored.

Police have also said that action needs to be taken to reduce disturbances for the takeaway’s neighbours.

Residents in Holborn say large numbers gather at the corner, slamming car doors and leaving trays of litter.

In a joint objection, ward councillors Sue Vincent, Julian Fulbrook and Awale Olad, said the Lebanese Grill has been a source of “significant public nuisance, disorder and environmental degradation,” for more than three years, and added: “Residents have been subject to near-nightly disturbances: aggressive behaviour, loud and abusive language, spitting, public fighting, and intimidation by groups of individuals, many of whom travel from outside the borough.”

They added:“The extraction system emits a level of smoke and particulate matter that renders it almost impossible to open windows or enjoy fresh air in adjacent properties.”

Lebanese Grill has rejected the claims and said it manages waste properly and keeps the street clean.

In its response to Camden Council, the business said: “The aroma of charcoal is one which is commonplace to grilled cuisine as is the aroma of spice or vegetables if a curry house or Chinese takeaway shop is open.

“There is no anti-social behaviour other than people visiting to enjoy grilled cuisine. We are using a sound meter to measure the decibel readings from patrons who access the unit via their vehicles.

Odour complaints have been sent to the council

“Any noise above 35 decibels means the manager goes to the contravening patron and issues a warning.”

But among the objections published by the council ahead of the meeting, Eric de Vries, who lives close by, said that hazardous fumes make it unpleasant to open windows. “Even with the closed windows, the smell of the fumes are so strong it fills the living room,” he said. “Anti-social behaviour from customers means the whole of Hatton Wall is left littered with silver trays, takeaway bags and food.” He had “seen pests as a result”.

Neville Perrett, another neighbour, added: “Silver trays full of uneaten food dumped on the ground, this is every single day.”

The pack of documents put online for public view is one of the largest Camden’s licensers have seen for a single business in recent years.

But it’s not only stuffed with objections. Some nearby residents have defended the Lebanese Grill.

Dr David Wolfe KC said the extraction system needed addressing but that the takeaway was very well run, and largely its customers well behaved.

“Its staff are friendly and courteous, dealing well with a wide range of customers each day including late at night,” he said. “It serves well-prepared, well-priced freshly-cooked food. It makes an important contribution to the vibrant and diverse life of this area, the very thing which makes me and my wife, and many others, choose to live in this part of Camden. I am most concerned about anything which imperils that.”

Another resident, Rafi Faruk, registered his concern of the tone of the councillors’ objections.

He said: “The language used feels unnecessarily inflammatory and unfairly targets a local business that has, from my experience, operated in good faith and with genuine consideration for the community.”

The Bourne Estate Tenants and Residents Association, however, has strongly objected to the grill’s licence saying that its customers bring crime, disorder and nuisance to the estate.

“The whole estate including children’s playgrounds are taken over by groups of customers from Lebanese Grill,” its statement added: “Not only do large groups come to the estate to eat their food, they then spend time terrorising the residents by fighting, drug-taking, gaining access to different blocks.

“We ask that the Lebanese Grill’s licence be completely revised so that our community can finally live in a happy, clean and environmentally friendly place.”