A NEW campsite overlooking the Solent has been granted a drinks licence - despite safety fears voiced by the local lifeboat station.

An application for a premises licence for a seafront facility called the Calshot Pop Up Hotel sparked a flurry of objections, including from one the RNLI.

In a letter to New Forest District Council it said summer traffic on Calshot Spit often made it difficult for crews to reach the station in an emergency.

It claimed the granting of a drinks licence could result in people under the influence of alcohol either blocking access roads or getting into difficulties while taking part in watersports organised by the hotel.

Other objectors included district and county councillor Alexis McEvoy, who also issued a safety warning.

She said: "With the sea on the edge of the site, the possible consequences are there for all to see. I would not like see NFDC cited as complicit in any drownings."

But the licence was granted at a meeting of the council's licensing sub-committee.

The application said a licence would allow alcohol to be sold at Calshot Field, which boasts a restaurant and its own private beach.

It added: "The supply of alcohol will be restricted to temporary residents on the site and non-residents who are dining in the restaurant.

"The bar will be run by an independent operator, Peppermint Bars, who have vast experience in providing such facilities on temporary sites."

Responding to claims made by objectors the applicant, Destination Pop Up Ltd, added: "If the premises had no licence, campers would be permitted to bring their own alcohol on to the site and it would be far more difficult to control and monitor consumption.

"All water sports activities will be carefully supervised and monitored."

The sub-committee heard the campsite opened on July 9 and was already able to sell alcohol under a series of Temporary Event Notices, the latest of which would expire tomorrow.

Announcing its decision the committee said no alcohol-related incidents had been reported since the facility started operating.

It added: "Due to lack of evidence, the sub-committee were not persuaded by the objectors’ submissions that the sale of alcohol on the site would lead to public nuisance, anti-social behaviour, or threaten public safety."