Business owners have gone to war with residents and their local council after a series of planning applications were rejected amid fears levels of anti-social behavior are getting out of hand.

Dubbed the ‘battle for Soho’, a group of around 150 business bosses accused Westminster Council and locals of killing London’s most vibrant nightlife scene.

Led by John James, managing director of Soho Estates, the group wrote to Westminster Council, the Mayor of London and MP Rachel Blake to express their frustration.

They claim a large number of planning and license applications have been rejected in recent times due to pressure from local residents, The Standard reported.

Mr James wrote in his letter that “Soho is like every high street in the country – it is fighting for its life”.

But residents say levels of drunkenness, crime and anti-social behavior are out of control, particularly in hot spots such as Dean Street, Frith Street, Greek Street and Romilly Street.

People were photographed eating and drinking outdoors in Soho as local business owners accused Westminster Council and locals of killing London’s most vibrant nightlife scene

Pictured: Punters stood outside a Soho pub as cyclists drove past. Companies claim a large number of planning and license applications have been rejected due to pressure from local residents

Residents say levels of drunkenness, crime and anti-social behavior are out of control. Pictured: People outside The Coach & Horses pub on the corner of Greek Street and Romilly Street – one of the hotspots mentioned

They believe the Council is right to reject the applications as they are the ones who have to live with the consequences of opening a new bar, club or restaurant.

Sadiq Khan was dragged into the row after last month he announced government-backed plans to pedestrianize Oxford Street.

Mr Khan wants to start work within two years to remove all vehicles from the famous shopping street – despite warnings it could become a crime-ridden ‘no-go zone’.

As a result of the scheme, a Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) will be created, meaning planning decision-making for the area will be transferred from the Council to Khan and his officials.

And some members of the Soho Business Alliance (SBA), set up during the pandemic, want the area covered by the MDC to include Soho as well as Leicester Square.

The Mayor would have municipal power over a large swath of the West End, The Standard reported, and could decide on planning and licensing applications that the Council was unwilling to approve.

Sadiq Khan (pictured) was dragged into the row after announcing government-backed plans to pedestrianize Oxford Street last month

A rendering issued in 2017 of what London’s Oxford Street might look like if it were pedestrianized

Buses and cars pictured stuck in a traffic jam on Oxford Street

Mr James said Westminster Council was acting “like a rural parish council” rather than London’s most important local authority by turning down so many applications.

The 71-year-old claimed the former model claimed many businesses were considering moving out of the area because of Westminster’s “obvious prejudice against them”.

He said Soho in 2024 had more empty buildings than it had seen since 1986.

Mr James cited the example of the Twentieth Century Fox building in Soho Square, built in the 1930s, which has been unused and partially derelict since 2017.

He called for more alfresco or outdoor dining licences, using examples such as Covent Garden where the market was pedestrianized to “enhance the visitor experience”.