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They said the plan for the ESSO Widney Service Station in Widney Road would fuel anti-social behaviour and crime.
Station bosses have applied for a premises licence to sell alcohol from 7am to 11pm Monday to Friday and from 8am to 10pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Some 15 letters to the council opposed the scheme, though a Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council reports urges councillors support the scheme.
It could, however, be thrown out if councillors agree the service station is “primarily” a garage, meaning it could not legally sell alcohol.
Jean Wheeler, who lives opposite, said: “I have lived here for 18 years and have lost count of the number of robberies at the garage, and I feel that the availability of alcohol here will only increase the crime and disorder.
“Youths already congregate on, and adjacent to, the garage forecourt, and at times create a nuisance to the local residents through noise and an increase in litter.
“The precense of alcohol on the premises can only aggravate this situation further.”
A letter from The Davenport Homes, for Bentley Heath Cottages on Tilehouse Green Lane, said the plan is “wholly inappropriate”.
It said: “Currently the area is a quiet residential one and we are concerned that the granting of licence will make for an increase in traffic and customers, particularly late at night.”
Widney Road resident Sue Chippendale said: “I believe that selling alcohol at this garage will encourage underage boys and girls to hang around outside waiting for older people to buy their alcohol for them.”
Some raised fears alcohol sales would lead to more break-ins and noise and disruption to homes in Gilberry Close and Pettyfields Close, linked by an alley to the garage.
Janet and Derick Cottell, of Pettyfields Close, said they have had five broken windows and a broken car windscreen on the alley side.
He said: “This will only serve to encourage groups of young people to consume alcohol in the alleyway and will exacerabte the existing situation.”
Sarah Perrins, of Widney Road, said a license “would be an indirect endorsement of drink driving, be totally unecessary and contrary to all efforts to reduce alcohol consumption, particularly amongst the youth of today, at a time [when] consumption is out of control”.
Several letters pointed out that alcohol is available from New Threshers and the Co-op at Bentley Heath on Widney Road.
But a council licensing officer recommends councillors back the plan.
Kieran Kelly said of residents’ objections: “These concerns have not been supported by any
responsible authority.
“In the absence of any good reasons to the contrary, it is recommended that this
licence be granted.”
All official bodies consulted - West Midlands Police, West Midlands Fire Service and council departments - did not respond to a consultation on the plans.
The 2003 Licensing Act bans sales of alcohol from premises used “primarily as a garage” and the report says councillors must agree if this applies in this case.
It says: “For example, if a garage shop in any rural area is used more intensely by customers purchasing other products than by customers purchasing the products or services listed above, it may be eligible to seek authority to sell or supply alcohol.”
Station bosses said the premises have CCTV and staff would be trained, spirits would be behind the counter and customers who look under 25 will be asked for ID.
The council’s licensing act panel will be asked to make a decision when it meets on August 22 at the council’s offices, next to Touchwood shopping centre in Solihull town centre. The public are welcome to attend. Click here for details.
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