PLANS for a Portuguese pool bar in Bournemouth have met with opposition from Dorset Police.

Ivo Antonio Gouveia Freitas is seeking a licence to serve Portuguese booze at Bar 7, 519 Christchurch Road, until midnight Sunday to Thursday and until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays.

According to the application, the bar will "operate as a café/bar which provides facilities for customers to play pool and table football". The plans show half the shop floor, formerly 'the Reptilarium', given over to pool tables.

However Dorset Police has objected on the grounds the premises is located within the Boscombe cumulative impact area - a legally-designated area where there is a presumption against the granting of new alcohol licences.

The submission by force licensing officer PC Steve Lemon states: "The concentration of licensed premises within this area causes problems of antisocial behaviour and crime and disorder."

As is normal with such applications, the force has also submitted a list of reported alcohol-related incidents of crime and disorder which have taken place in the area.

Running from May 2 to August 13 this year, the list shows nearly 70 such incidents, chiefly involving groups of drunk men fighting and abusing passers-by, and concern for welfare reports for heavily intoxicated individuals.

The police letter says: "Dorset Police are of the view the applicant has failed to demonstrate in their operating schedule that there will be no negative cumulative impact on one or more of the licensing objectives."

Mr Freitas, who has a premises licence already at 702 Christchurch Road, the other side of the precinct, and apparently intends to surrender this should the present application be granted, lists measures to ensure responsible drinking in his application.

These include CCTV, association with the local Pubwatch and refresher training for staff on a sixth monthly basis.

The application will be heard by the town's licensing board on Thursday, September 28.