Plans to open a new Thai restaurant moved a step closer to realisation after it was granted an alcohol and entertainment licence.

Harrow Council’s licensing committee approved an application by Thai Kitchen in High Street, Edgware to serve alcohol at the restaurant.

Situated on the site of the old Change of Hart pub, it also intends to play recorded music, including in a garden area.

The decision comes despite some objections from neighbouring properties who were concerned about the potential for increased noise and anti-social behaviour.

They suggested that staying open until 12.30am Sunday to Thursday, and 2am on Friday and Saturday, was unnecessarily long.

They also raised concerns about noise at the site, both inside and outside, despite the applicant’s assurances that it would install ‘sound limiters’ and would not play music in the garden after 7pm Sunday to Thursday and 9pm Friday and Saturday.

The applicant explained that it will promote a “focus on oriental foods, al fresco dining and world wines”.

It added that the venue will be a “relaxing lounge and restaurant” with “adequate seating” to avoid any resemblance of a dancefloor at the premises.

There are plans to make use of the garden area for dining with accompanying recorded music, with the possible use of ‘pods’ for people to sit in.

The Metropolitan Police put forward a series of conditions to the licence, which the applicant agreed to.

These include the installation of a up-to-date CCTV system, the keeping of an incident log book and assurances that any music “shall be set at background level for ambience only”.

Customers can only drink if sitting at a table – and it is brought by waiting staff – while glasses cannot be taken out of the premises at any point and are banned from the garden after 10pm.

The committee acknowledged the concerns of the objectors but decided this was not sufficient to reject the licence, provided the police conditions are met.