A decision to allow a bar at a new seafront development has raised fears the area could degenerate into a drinking den.

Councillors originally gave approval for restaurants and a nightclub at Aquarium Terraces in Brighton two years ago.

Last night they allowed a change to the original planning permission so part of one restaurant can be turned into a bar area for 120 people.

Brighton and Hove planning committee's decision by six votes to four has raised fears "pub-type" drinking could spread to other parts of the development.

Last night's vote follows an earlier permission, allowed on appeal, to expand the size of a nightclub at the other end of the terraces.

Local Labour councillor Jackie Lythell welcomed the idea of the Aquarium Terraces but, along with many neighbours, was disappointed at the way in which the scheme had turned out. She said: "We have given way to a great extent but now we have to say 'No'."

The scheme was still not ready a year after it had been scheduled to open and the council would find out what was going wrong.

Tory councillor David Smith said he was looking forward to the day when this whole complex was operating.

His colleague Peter Willows, said: "This is in the heart of Brighton and I can't see anything wrong with the application."

But Green councillor Keith Taylor said: "We do not need another place for stand-up drinking."

Rob Stephenson, from the Brighton and Hove Environment Forum, said the original permission had been for restaurants and not bars.

Labour councillor Roy Pennington said: "There is a link between booze and bother."

Coun Heather James was worried pub-type drinking would spread to other parts of the development.

The new restaurant is likely to be a branch of The Flaming Wok which has seven outlets in London.

The bar area will take a maximum of 120 people and many of them will be people waiting for meals.

Planning officer Pete Johnson said the main reason for allowing the appeal had been the lack of evidence about licensed premises in the area and crime. It would be difficult to sustain a refusal.

But Trevor Scoble, from the Return the Aquarium Terrace Group, said there were figures showing crimes of violence, nearly all drink and drug related, had risen by 62.3 per cent in the last two years.

Speaking after the meeting, he said the whole development was likely to be given over to drinking which would disturb residents.