The Battle for Soho: How business leaders are at war with local families and the council over a series of licensing and planning applications killed over fears of anti-social behavior

Business owners have started a war with residents and their council after a series of planning applications were rejected amid fears of anti-social behavior spiraling out of control.

Dubbed the ‘battle for Soho’, a group of around 150 business leaders have accused Westminster Council and locals of killing London’s most vibrant nightlife.

Led by John James, director of Soho Estates, the group has written to the Westminster Council, the Mayor of London and MP Rachel Blake, to express their frustration.

They claim a large number of planning and permit applications have been rejected in recent times due to pressure from locals, The Standard reported.

Mr James wrote in his letter that ‘Soho is like any high street in the country: it is fighting for its life’.

But residents say levels of drunkenness, crime and anti-social behavior have spiraled out of control, especially in hotspot areas such as Dean Street, Frith Street, Greek Street and Romilly Street.

People were seen eating and drinking outside in Soho, while local business owners accused Westminster Council and locals of killing London’s most vibrant nightlife

Pictured: Punters stood outside a pub in Soho as cyclists rode past. Businesses claim a large number of planning and permit applications have been rejected due to pressure from locals

Residents say levels of drunkenness, crime and anti-social behavior have spiraled out of control. Pictured: People outside The Coach & Horses pub on the corner of Greek Street and Romilly Street – one of the hotspot areas mentioned

They believe that the Council is right to reject the applications, because they are the ones who have to live with the consequences of opening a new bar, club or restaurant.

Sadiq Khan has been dragged into the queue after announcing government-backed plans to make Oxford Street pedestrianized last month.

Mr Khan wants the removal of all vehicles from the famous shopping street to begin within two years – despite warnings it could become a crime-ridden ‘no-go area’.

As a result of the plan, a Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) would be established, meaning that planning decision-making for the area would be transferred from the Council to Khan and his officials.

And some members of the Soho Business Alliance (SBA), set up during the pandemic, want the area covered by the MDC to include both Soho and Leicester Square.

The mayor would have municipal power over much of the West End, The Standard reported, and could decide on planning and licensing applications that the Council did not want to approve.

Sadiq Khan (pictured) has been dragged into the queue after announcing government-backed plans to make Oxford Street pedestrianized last month

A 2017 visualization of what Oxford Street in London might look like if it were car-free

Buses and cars are stuck in a traffic jam on Oxford Street

Mr James said Westminster Council was behaving ‘like a national parish council’ rather than London’s main local authority by refusing so many applications.

The 71-year-old former model claimed many businesses are considering leaving the area due to ‘Westminster’s clear bias against them’.

He said Soho would have more vacant buildings in 2024 than he has ever seen since 1986.

Mr James cited the example of the Twentieth Century Fox building in Soho Square, built in the 1930s, which has stood unused and partially abandoned since 2017.

He has called for more permits for al fresco dining, using examples such as Covent Garden, where the square has been made pedestrianized to ‘improve the visitor experience’.