CALL FOR BAR ON PUBS

Town halls want the power to veto new boozers over health concerns

- CHRIS McLAUGHLIN

COUNCILS want the right to block new pubs in areas where heavy drinking is harming people’s health.

Town hall chiefs say hospital admissions and ambulance data should be looked at before granting licences for bars, clubs and takeaways selling drink.

Excessive alcohol use is estimated to cost the NHS £3.2billion a year, as well as hitting social services and the police.