OBJECTIONS have been made to plans to to set up a micropub selling craft and cask beers in a former shop.

Hambleton District Council will consider the bid to open a pub in The Arcade on Great Ayton's High Street at its licensing and appeals hearing panel on Thursday.

Jonathan Blackmore, from Middlesbrough, has applied to open the business in one of the four shop units in The Arcade, which would be open from midday to 11pm. He has pledged not to run value or cheap drink promotions if granted a licence.

But North Yorkshire Police has objected on grounds of crime prevention and public nuisance.

In a report submitted to the council, police say the centre of the village is already an anti-social behaviour “hotspot”.

The reports stated: “The location has been identified as an ASB Hotspot by police, where youths gather and are verbally abusive to persons in the vicinity, play loud music, loiter, climb on vehicles, buildings and throw items including fireworks.

“The Neighbourhood Police team for this area has worked with the local community to address the issues and are concerned that the addition of a Licensed Premises in the vicinity without robust and enforceable conditions will result in further incidents of disorder and ASB.”

The police suggested conditions including installing colour CCTV within the premises, a Refusal Register and Incident Report Register to record staff refusals of underage or drunk visitors and incidents of anti-social behaviour. They also recommended a ban on bottles being taken outside of the premises.

The police report stated if the suggested amendments are taken up, they would formally withdraw their objection.

Eight other local residents and business-owners also submitted objections to the plans, saying they were already subjected to high levels of anti-social behaviour in the area, especially in summer months, and the area was already experiencing a lot of vandalism. They also raised concerns about litter, noise and parking issues.

One wrote: “Residents in this area already suffer nuisance and anti-social behaviour at all hours of the day and night. This is mainly juveniles and adults hanging around the pizza shop eating food, talking loud and the frequent coming and going of cars with music blasting out of the windows.

“So adding another group of people who will be intoxicated and wanting food is only to add fuel to the fire.”