A RASH of blue licensing notices which have appeared on open spaces and other public sites around Christchurch is no cause for concern, say council chiefs.

The town hall has been deluged with calls from anxious residents worried that the formal licensing application notices could open the way for future drinking and dancing on public land.

And residents feared licensing areas such as Druitt Gardens and Bernards Mead could worsen existing problems with drunks and rowdy youths.

But council officers stress that licensed status, necessary to comply with new government legislation, does not cover alcohol and will not lead to any changes in the number or type of activities allowed on public open spaces.

While most of the publicity surrounding the Licensing Act which comes into force on November 24 has been given to pubs and clubs the new rules also impose requirements for a "premises licence" on land owned by the council used for outdoor entertainment including music and open air plays.

Cllr David Fox, chairman of the council's Licensing Committee, said: "This is just an example of the council complying with new legislation. There is certainly no question of it leading to any new activities taking place at these sites."

Events on council-owned land are also controlled by the borough's open space policy which will remain in force and override the premises licence.

First published: October 25