PLANS for a popular Cowley Road nightclub to serve alcohol until 4am have received a mixed response, with police fearing it could increase disorder on the streets.

The Bullingdon's proposals to serve alcohol for an extra hour-and-a-half have been criticised by residents living nearby and Thames Valley Police.

But students and music fans from Oxford and from further afield have welcome the move, with a final decision to be made by licensing authority Oxford City Council in the new year.

The council revealed 30 people wrote to support the extension while it received seven objections in total.

Gregory Mostyn, who lives in Walton Street, said: "The venue remains one of the only places to see live music, electronic music and comedy theatre, while also functioning as a bar.

"Extending the licence permanently would allow the venue to become the jewel in the crown of Oxford's cultural nightlife."

Joshua Gowdy, from St Anne's College in Woodstock Road, added: "As a university city it is crucial to the students of Oxford and the city in general that The Bullingdon is allowed to expand to represent the growing demand.

"Oxford as whole has a problem with a lack of live music venues and places for students to go to have fun and socialise – these are crucial aspects of a healthy time at university."

The venue falls in the 'special saturation policy' zone – which restricts the expansion of pubs and clubs to reduce the impact to surrounding street.

A police statement submitted to the council's licensing department warned the move could increase anti-social behaviour on the streets.

It said: "The premises is already a popular attraction to the night time economy and, based on our frontline experience, it is a busy venue.

"The application would not only allow the existing customer base to consume alcohol for longer but result in increased footfall into the East Oxford area by attracting other late night revellers who don't want their night to end.

The force added: "There are also issues resulting from those refused entry which will likely be increased in the later hours due to pre-existing levels of intoxication from pre-loading at other premises."

"While Thames Valley Police wish to see a successful, vibrant and diverse night time economy to show case Oxford, it must be in balance, and considerate to the area the premise shares with local residents and businesses."

London Place Residents' Association objected due to the increase in early morning noise and disturbance and were backed by councillors Craig Simmons, Jamila Azad and Dick Wolff.

Mr Wolff said: "It took many years to get to grips with the antisocial behaviour issues on the Cowley Road and the saturation zone has been a crucial part of this.

"It is good that the Cowley Road is a centre for entertainment but at the end of the day it is a residential area and the applicant needs to recognise this."

The Bullingdon did not respond to requests for comment.