RESIDENTS have hit out at a pub’s bid to sell alcohol from an outside bar and to play live music outdoors over concerns that it will allow it to “morph into a nightclub”.

More than a dozen people living near to The Plantation in Canford Cliffs have objected to a licensing application by the pub to increase its outdoor offering.

However, the pub’s director said that any noise will be monitored and its volume will be limited.

The application, which seeks permission to play live music until 7pm every day and to sell alcohol outdoors until 10pm, is due to be considered by Poole council’s licensing sub-committee at its meeting on Monday (August 6).

Fourteen objections from residents have been lodged with the council raising concerns about the impact the changes would have on noise levels and anti-social behaviour.

Ellie and Matthew Dewsbury, who live opposite the pub, said: “We can already hear the music they plan on weekends and do not want this to increase to all day every day.

“This is a peaceful area of Canford Cliffs with the Pirate Park over the road and the music and increased noise from an all-day bar will travel over there as well, spoiling enjoyment of the park where many families go to relax in the day as well as the evening.

“We would also be concerned about the noise after hours if people are able to drink all day in the outside garden. They are likely to be more raucous and noisy.

“The Plantation is surrounded by family homes or houses belonging to the elderly and has a park in close proximity.

“This feels like a very inappropriate licence for such a quiet residential area.”

Canford Cliffs resident Richard Cutler said: “There is a very high probability that granting the requested licence will cause a serious public nuisance and add to crime and disorder in an otherwise sensitive area, either immediately or over time, for example with the unfettered ability to schedule live music enabling The Plantation to morph into a nightclub.”

In the licensing application submitted to Poole council, the pub’s director said: “Music outside will always cease by 7pm and often by 4pm.

“The musician is always located just by the main back door and we will make sure it is not too loud. This will be monitored continually.

“Anyone in the garden will be asked to keep the noise down or be moved inside.”