AN APPLICATION by Bournemouth council for a licence to host outdoor events in a suburb of the town has been opposed by police.

Concerns have been raised that the proposals put forward by the council for Southbourne Grove fail to support the safe provision of alcohol.

The application will be considered by members of its licensing committee at a meeting on Thursday, March 7.

The council submitted its request for a licence covering the western end of Southbourne Grove last month.

If approved, it would allow the hosting of entertainment including music and other performances on the road, including for annual events such as Shake and Stir and Frankenfest.

The licence would also allow the sale of alcohol. However, Dorset Police has opposed this after an agreement which it says would allow this to be done safely could not be reached between the two organisations.

In a letter to the council, police licensing enforcement officer, Louise Busfield, said: “Dorset Police have attempted to agree a series of conditions that would support the safe provision of alcohol.

“However, the applicant has been unable to agree these conditions.

“The application in its current form fails to recognise the responsibility that is attached to offering alcohol for sale.”

She says that the council’s proposals create “a significant risk of crime and disorder occurring” and that the licence application should be refused by members of the council’s licensing committee.

The council’s licence application says: “All major events that take place on the site will have a full event management plan giving event details.

“Areas covered by the event management plan will include noise management, missing persons procedure, alcohol management and evacuation plans.

“Any serious changes to the event from the agreed event management plan will be deemed as a breach of these licensing objectives and therefore be a breach of the premises licence.”

The council’s application also requires that any events featuring the sale of alcohol must either have CCTV or “enhanced” security measures in place.

The licence bid will be considered by councillors on Thursday.