COUNCILLORS could be left powerless to reject plans for new pubs, bars and clubs.

Under new licensing laws Swindon Council will be forced to give the go-ahead to new premises if local people do not object to the plans first.

And there are fears that residents' associations and local groups may not hear about new applications if the Government does not change its rules on how they must be advertised.

Coun Brian Ford (Con, Wrough-ton and Chiseldon), chairman of the licensing sub-committee, told residents' association that the council needed their help.

"There could be all sorts of nasty things going on but if no representations are made to us we couldn't do anything about it," he said.

"This committee wants to see a lively, vibrant, economically healthy trade but we want also to make sure our inhabitants are safe from anti-social behaviour.

"We will make mistakes but we are trying to get it right. What we need is your help.

"You can help by keeping alert, knowing what is going on in your area, talking to our officers and having a willingness to speak out where you think something is wrong."

The council will take control of licensing from magistrates next year.

If no objections are received to an application, the council will have to allow it, even if councillors have serious reservations.

And only people 'in the vicinity' of the planned new pub or club will have the right to protest, although the Government has not defined exactly what 'in the vicinity' means.

The council is also still unsure about whether it will be able to notify residents' associations and other groups directly about new applications, because of the risk it could be accused of stirring up objections.

The Government's draft regulations say notices must be put outside the premises and the applications advertised in newspapers, but many groups were worried people would miss the plans.

Terry King, chairman of the Okus Area Residents' Association, said: "It think this business of objecting is so important.

"If it is up to individuals to object those individuals must have the information you can't expect people to go round looking at every premises for a notice."

The committee agreed to write to the Government urging it to make the notices bigger and brighter than the A4-size blue sheets currently planned.

Isabel Field