TOUGH measures to control York's booze and crime hot spot could be in place in less than two weeks, after being backed by councillors.

A special new licensing policy will mean that plans for new pubs and clubs within a specific zone of the city centre will normally be refused - unless applicants can show they would not add to existing crime and antisocial behaviour problems.

The rules will also cover existing venues looking to extend their capacity and opening hours in the Micklegate and Clifford Street areas.

The measures, which come in the wake of shock crime figures for the area, received the unanimous support of City of York Council's Licensing Act 2003 Committee yesterday.

Committee members also ruled that Blossom Street to the junction with Holgate Road, and The Crescent, should be included because of problems relating to late-night takeaways and taxi ranks.

The policy will come into effect on April 13, providing it is rubber-stamped at a full council meeting the previous day. It will remain in place until January 6, 2008, unless reviewed by the council.

Micklegate ward councillor Dave Merritt who had called on committee members to incorporate Blossom Street in the zone, said he was "very pleased with the outcome".

The meeting also saw York's first personal licences awarded to five publicans, as required by new licensing laws.

Christopher Lee and Peter Brownsword of Nexus and McMillans, Rose Eunson, of The Mount pub, John Reid, of The Dick Turpin pub, and Janis Oxtoby, of The Greenhouse restaurant, were the recipients.

Updated: 10:10 Saturday, April 02, 2005