Mark Oaten, Winchester's MP, has voiced his concerns about proposals for a nightclub in the city centre.

He adds his worries to those of the Preserve Winchester Group which represents hundreds of residents who oppose the plans.

They believe that converting the old postal sorting office at Tanner Street into a 1,500 capacity club would make their lives miserable with antisocial behaviour and noise.

Winchester City Council turned down Karma Ltd's revised application for the late-night venue in March, but the company has now appealed and a public inquiry will be held next year.

Mr Oaten says that while he has consistently argued for some form of late night entertainment for young people in his constituency, he believes this should be located outside the city centre.

In a letter to the Planning Inspectorate, he raises concerns about the impact the venue would have on vandalism and drunken behaviour in the city centre.

Commenting on his letter, Mr Oaten said: "I cannot support this particular application for a nightclub as it is too close to residential areas and the heart of our ancient city centre. I have seen first hand the increased problems taking place in relation to drunkenness and vandalism in the city, and I fear the nightclub could act as a magnet for more of these difficulties.

"While the proposed owners have tried to reassure all parties concerning the management of alcohol on their own premises, there is no doubt that the increase in the number of people coming to the city centre would result in people using pubs before hand, thus increasing problems when people left the nightclub late at night."

The Preserve Winchester Group has applied for a formal role at the public inquiry.

Campaigners have written to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to grant them special status which would give the group the right to speak at the inquiry, call expert witnesses and cross examine anyone called by the developers.

They would have access to copies of documents filed by Karma Ltd and Winchester City Council during the written phase of the appeal.

The special status would also allow members to submit written statements to counter any arguments made by Karma Ltd in support of its appeal.

A driving force in the Preserve Winchester Group, Dr Chong-Yee Khoo, said: "This is a matter of grave concern to many residents of Winchester, particularly the elderly.

"We now have an opportunity to take and active role in the appeal and public inquiry, and we look forward to representing the interests of the city in the best way possible."