PLANS for a new seafront nightclub for up to 2,000 people were described as "absolutely ludicrous."

The angry description came from council deputy leader Jackie Lythell at a meeting of the Planning Committee.

Aquarium Entertainments already has permission for the club as part of bars and restaurants approved last year.

But councillors deferred plans to double the size of the nightclub on the Aquarium Terraces for more negotiations.

Coun Lythell, who represents Queen's Park ward, said: "All our worst fears have been confirmed.

"We are extremely concerned that a nightclub for 2,000 people should be in this area.

"I think it is absolutely ludicrous and beyond comprehension. This area is different from between the piers, which is below street level.

"Here people will be spilling out on to the pavement at three in the morning, some of them the worst for wear. It will cause considerable problems.

"We want this area to be lively and to attract visitors but we do have to strike a balance between that and the needs of local people."

Tory councillor Carol Theobald said the nightclub would be much too big and added: "It will be too much for the police to handle.

"Noise will also carry a long way from a club of that size."

Development control manager Maggie Brian warned councillors that to refuse permission, they would have to show that increasing the size of the club would cause demonstrable harm.

Tories voted to refuse the application. Coun David Smith said: "This is a completely different plan from the one we had before."

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