PLANS for two major entertainment venues on the site of Bournemouth's former ice rink have received their second major setback this week.

Bournemouth Borough Council's planning board turned down the idea - two days after the authority's licensing board refused to approve the venues.

Luminar Leisure wants to create a 900-seater Jam House and a 700-capacity Chicago Rock Caf on the site of the defunct rink in Westover Road. It will now have to decide whether to appeal against both decisions.

The Jam House would be the second in Britain and would feature jazz and blues acts including Jools Holland and Bill Wyman.

Planners had been expected to approve the scheme in line with advice from officers but rejected it by seven votes to three.

Central ward councillor David Smith said he had received a petition from residents of flats in Bath Hill Court.

He said: "I'm a regular communicator with people who live in the flats above the Westover shops and already their life is a nightmare with the noise and disturbance from the premises in the place.

"I think another 2,000 people in the area at that time of night will have a not very pleasant effect on their standards of living."

Officers had warned the venue could become a nightclub without the need for planning permission if the dining and entertainment package was turned down.

They pointed out that police had not objected to the scheme.

Cllr Bob Lelliott, chairman of the planning board, said: "I'm rather surprised at the lack of police comment regarding Westover Road.

"If you go along there Saturday evenings, 10 o'clock onwards, there are huge problems. I've personally seen those on at least half a dozen occasions in the last two months."

But Cllr Ron Whittaker said: "I'm extremely concerned about the alternative uses if we turn this down."

He added: "If they go for an appeal we can't afford to pay out any more money."

Cllr Barbara Smith said she was concerned for residents but added: "From a purely planning point of view, I don't think there are good planning reasons for refusal.

Cllr Keith Rawlings said: "If you live in that area you must expect noise and that's probably why you're paying a reduced price for what you're buying."