People living near West Street have failed to stop a Chinese restaurant from extending their opening hours to 3am.
Sheffield City Council approved the application from Chong Qing at a meeting of the Licencing Sub Committee on Tuesday.
One unnamed resident who spoke a the meeting said: “We’re mad as hell and we are not going to take it anymore.”
He said his words were adapted from the 1976 film The Network.
The resident, who has lived in the development of West One for 21 years, gave a history of how noise pollution and nuisance has increased in the area.
His presentation accused several businesses, delivery drivers, and the tram horn of creating intolerable noise in the area.
The application requested permission for Chong Qing restaurant to serve BBQ snacks to students who want them from the hours of midnight until the early hours.
During a detailed presentation, Peter Sephton of ChangingSheff, described the application as “vital” claiming that it could “impact the lives of many people.”
He said: “For residents of the city, this is D-day. D standing for defend.
“This seemingly innocuous application raises the question: ‘Is all of the city centre to become a 24 hour economy or can the majority of its residents get a good night’s sleep?”
Mr Sephton also argued that the move would add to noise pollution and public disturbances in the area as well as coming into conflict with planning regulations that protect the rights of residents living near the Sheffield night-time economy.
Owners of Chong Qing insisted that takeaways and deliveries would not be conducted after midnight.
They also said they would not sell any alcoholic beverages after hours.
A representative from the restaurant said at the meeting: “We are a traditional Chinese restaurant, we do not intend to offer any kind of entertainment including parties or anything including alcohol.
“Our purpose is to just offer hot food.”
The council decided to approve the application on the grounds that no deliveries can be carried out from the hours of midnight until 3am.
