FEARS have been raised that Brighton and Hove Council is being railroaded into approving plans for a massive new night spot.

Police have expressed misgivings about drunken revellers spilling on to Madeira Drive in the early hours from what would be Brighton's biggest night club.

And residents, already furious about sea views being obscured by the development, are up in arms over the noise which could be created by the multi-million pound scheme.

The council gave the green light last year to plans for a 9,000sq ft night club at the Aquarium Terraces.

It is on the site of the Concorde Bar and Restaurant, which had a capacity of around 450 people and closed earlier this year.

Now developers Aquarium Entertainments have submitted a fresh application for the proposed venue which would more than double the size to 20,000sq ft to accommodate up to 2,000 revellers.

Since the council has already approved plans for a club in principle, it must give compelling reasons for blocking the latest application.

Sgt Mark Huff, a licensing sergeant for Sussex Police, said: "We have serious concerns on the grounds of the potential for public disorder."

Tory Carol Theobald, who sits on the planning committee, said: "I think the council is being railroaded into this. People will be leaving this club at 3am and we should be thinking about the residents."

Labour Coun Bob Carden said: "We are concerned about the policing issue, but we are not being railroaded into anything.

"We need to look carefully at this application and make the right decision or it could go to appeal and cost us thousands of pounds."

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