Neighbours hoping to stop late opening at a new pub made impassioned speeches this evening.

Haringey Borough Council's licensing committee this evening heard arguments against JD Wetherspoon opening a Muswell Hill outlet.

Councillors Martin Newton and Gail Enghert, along with neighbours Ruth Prior, Ben Rogoff and John Nevin all spoke against the pub chain's proposed opening hours for the Mossy Well.

The company proposed keeping the 2am closing time of the Village bar, which had previously operated at the site.

Campaigners say the area is now mostly residential and Mr Rogoff accused the chain of being “cynical” in using the existing license to open an anomalously late opening pub in a residential area.

Mr Nevin, a partner in law firm Slaughter and May, told the committee that there were no circumstances that could recommend this pub being open later than was the norm for a residential area, which Mr Rogoff had suggested was 12am.

Representatives of JD Wetherspoon emphasised their responsibility as pub operators, and outlined a series of concessions made over the opening hours.

Councillors Basu, Carter and Mallet will now decide what conditions to impose on Wetherspoon’s licence.