COUNCIL chiefs have blocked plans for a new off-licence in Bournemouth’s Lansdowne area after objections by police.

Dorset Police claimed Salman Kaydul’s Lansdowne Central shop in Christchurch Road would have added to problems of antisocial behaviour within the town’s cumulative impact area, where there is already street drinking.

Ahead of a Bournemouth council licensing board meeting PC Darren Harris said the location is “plagued with high levels of antisocial behaviour relating to street drinking and vagrancy”, with officers dealing with “ongoing problems”.

“On a daily basis, all authorities receive complaints about littering, antisocial behaviour, disorder and abusive and intimidating behaviour,” he said.

“Dorset Police are of the opinion that to grant this application and allow yet another outlet that supplies alcohol would undermine the licensing objectives and only serve to exacerbate the problems already experienced by businesses and residents in the Lansdowne area.”

In response, David Ramsay, representing Mr Kaydul, said the management have experience in the licensed trade include running licensed convenience stores in Southbourne and Ashley Road in Boscombe.

“They will ensure that high standards and good behaviour are maintained at the premises. Due to the experience of the staff there is no reason to believe that the proposed premises licence will give rise to any particular problem.”

But after debating the issue the licensing board backed the police and refused the premises licence for the site of the old Cantina Cafe.

Councillor David Kelsey, vice chairman of the board, said: “We agreed that having another outlet for alcohol would increase the problems in that area.”