THE decision on whether a seafront restaurant in Mudeford can serve takeaway alcohol will be revealed this week.

Members of a BCP Council licensing sub-committee considered the application for the Noisy Lobster on Wednesday after its proposals drew dozens of objections.

But these in turn were compared to “doomsday predictions” that would not come to fruition. The outcome of the meeting is not expected be made public until later this week.

Restaurant director Peter Hayward applied earlier this year for permission to sell alcohol from the restaurant’s takeaway fish and chips concession – named the Lobster Hatch.

He said this had already been done through temporary approval by BCP Council but sought permission to extend the restaurant’s licence to make it permanent.

Speaking at Wednesday’s meeting, he said the new arrangement would “provide an improved and more efficient service for customers” by reducing queues.

“Over the past four years we have sold alcohol to take away consumption with food using temporary event notices,” he said. “These were assigned at the busiest times of the year, during heatwaves and bank holidays, and we have not received any complaints.

“To refuse the application, we believe, would be prejudice against us and reacting to the scaremongering ongoing from local residents since our inception.

“Every improvement we have made has come against objections and doomsday predictions of what might transpire. Instead they have resulted in hugely attractive and desirable location.”

No objection to the application was made by Dorset Police after a series of conditions, including the installation of CCTV, were agreed with the restaurant.

However, speaking at Wednesday’s meeting, people living nearby reiterated their concerns about the proposals.

Councillor Paul Hilliard, the ward councillor for Mudeford, Stanpit and West Highcliffe, who was representing them, said it was “not appropriate” for permanent permission to be granted.

“It will clearly impact adversely on the licensing objectives in all four areas,” he said. “Off-sales will encourage all-day drinking, leading to increased public nuisance to other beach users.

“The premises is located in a residential area which is likely to be disturbed by nuisance and disturbance in the late evening.”

Although the application was considered by councillors at Wednesday’s meeting, and a decision made afterwards, their outcome will now be made public until the decision notice is published next week.