A NEW basement events facility in West Cliff has been given a licence to sell alcohol until 11pm, seven days a week.

Despite opposition from people living nearby, a BCP Council licensing sub-committee approved the Bar Beyond proposals when they met on Tuesday,

Chairman, councillor David Flagg, said approving the licence for the new West Cliff Gardens venue had been a “difficult” decision.

An application was first made by Shaun De Kment and Wendy Lovett in August but withdrawn in the face of opposition from people living nearby, and Dorset Police.

Neighbours had argued that allowing alcohol to be sold there would lead to “incessant” noise problems.

Following this, new proposals, which their solicitor Philip Day described as “radically different” were lodged, bringing forward the end time for the sale of alcohol to 11pm.

Despite the revised application not attracting opposition from police licensing officers, 34 people, including former Bournemouth council leader John Beesley, submitted objections.

Speaking at Tuesday’s meeting, Cllr Beesley said: “Anti-social behaviour is something that ebbs and flows on the West Cliff but tends to revolve around licensed premises.

“The area is a mixture of licensed premises, hotels and residential – but predominately residential – and these have to live alongside each other comfortably.

“There are a number of issues that come through here particularly around noise and public nuisance.”

The basement was used as a function room as part of Whitley Court when it was run as a hotel.

But following its conversion to a house in multiple occupation (HMO) more than a decade ago it has been separated with the connecting staircase blocked off.

Access to the basement area is now via a rear entrance.

Mr Day said the bar was not the main focus of the business and that it was not expected that any issues as a result of its existence would arise.

“The premises are small and in the basement of the hotel building,” he said. “The environmental health officer initially had concerns but he came out to visit, and having been there, was perfectly content to withdraw any representation.

“This is not a drinking establishment – the bar is tiny.”

After almost an hour of deliberation, councillors agreed to grant the licence.

“This has been a difficult decision for the sub-committee and we hope there are no issues going forward,” Cllr Flagg said.