THE developer behind a new £50m leisure and restaurant complex has stressed its family-friendly credentials as he tries to gain a late-night drinking licence.

Licensing chiefs meet today to consider the principle of the Nautilus Development, next to Bournemouth’s Pavilion, serving alcohol until 2am.

But the application has sparked objections from Dorset Police and a town centre councillor, who want tight restrictions to ensure the various bars and restaurants do not exacerbate late-night antisocial behaviour.

Mr Osborne is seeking a “provisional statement” or approval in principle for a 2am licence on the whole of the development, which will include several restaurants, a Y Bar Lounge, Spiral Sea View restaurant, amphitheatre, roof garden and external areas.

His application says that the development will provide a “much-needed and welcome alternative for older customers.

“It will promote Bourne-mouth as a family-friendly resort and as a town once again attractive to the older age group seeking a quality, even a luxury, experience,” it states.

It adds that the non-cinema units will only be used as restaurants and not bars or clubs, the Y Bar is intended to be a bar for theatre-goers and will close at 11pm and no alcohol will be sold in the amphitheatre and roof garden.

It stresses the development will be well-lit, well-managed and covered by seven CCTV cameras.

But Central ward councillor David Smith said a 2am licence would send the wrong message to prospective applicants for new restaurants and bars.

“This site is supposed to be promoted as a family-friendly area and I’d have thought a midnight closing time would be more acceptable,” he said.

And a letter of objection by Sgt Derek McKerl states that Dorset Police would prefer the premises in the complex to apply for individual licences.

He said there was nothing to prevent the Y Bar becoming a vertical drinking establishment or to prevent outdoor drinking in the amphitheatre.