A CHRISTCHURCH bar has won approval to extend its licensed hours until 4am two days a week.

Residents complained that granting the application by Blushh bar, based in Bargates, would lead to "excessive noise", but councillors argued there was insufficient evidence to link nighttime disruption to the venue.

Cllr Lesley Dedman, chair of the licensing sub-committee, said: "Having considered all of the representations and noted the council’s licensing policy and the Home Office Guidance, members felt the evidence heard from residents was not sufficient to refuse the application to extend the licensing hours at Blushh bar.

"Given that many incidents referred to in objections appeared to happen away from the venue we could not attribute them to the premises and therefore voted to support the application."

The application will see the premises able to stay open until 2am, Sundays to Thursdays, and until 4am on Fridays and Saturdays, as well as other seasonal occasions.

A similar application earlier this year saw an objection made by Dorset Police, and it was refused by the committee, however the force did not object this time.

The bar had argued that over the past three years only five complaints were made to the council about noise, none of which were taken further.

Solicitor Philip Day, representing bar owner Poria Abraham, said the later opening hours would lead to a staggered dispersal of customers reducing noise levels.

In letters of objection, neighbours said noise from the bar kept them awake a night.

One said: "Every Friday and Saturday evening I am subjected to excessive noise (ie shouting and swearing) coming from the smoking area which results in me being woken up and having to close my bedroom window."

Mr Abraham was convicted in 2009 over a conspiracy to smuggle £1million worth of cocaine into the UK. He was involved in laundering the drugs money and was sentenced to 12 years following the trial at Bournemouth Crown Court.