A BOARDED-UP building will be given a new lease of life after councillors gave ambitious plans the green light.

City of York Council's licensing committee granted Elvington-based Pivovar the documents they need to transform the White Swan building in Pavement.

Despite objections from North Yorkshire Police, Jamie Hawksworth, managing director of the company which already runs two York bars, was granted a license for Pavement Vaults to sell alcohol and food driven by Andy Annat, a three-time UK barbecue champion.

Sgt Matthew France, force alcohol licensing manager, raised concerns the bar would exacerbate problems with drinkers in the city's Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ), which already has a high concentration of pubs.

Resident and businessman John Walker also called for a licensing decision to be made based on the business fundamentally selling food to prevent binge drinking.

However, Piers Warne, representing Pivovar, said the premises would sell a range of craft ales and world beers which do not appeal to large groups.

He added: "The question we have to ask ourselves is if this premises would create crime and disorder, but there's none in that area and people will be going there for a reason.

"They would be going for a great barbecue chef and the beers on sale wouldn't attract large groups.

"They are certainly not in the 'get it down your neck' category."

Cllr Ian Gillies, chairman of the committee, granted a license after altering conditions to make sure the premises was a food-led establishment with no more than 50 "virtual" drinkers and 170 people in the licensed area.

He said: "There's no evidence of crime and disorder in this specific location, but against that what we have to conclude is if we grant this application, are we going to bring in people from other parts of the city, because if we do it 's pointless having a CIZ.

"We are satisfied at the quality of supervision at the premises that's being proposed.

"It's certainly with a heavy heart that we go against the CIZ but we have to take every application on its merits and we have to be extremely strict."

Mr Hawksworth has previously told The Press his company will spend around £300,000 on the building and would create around 30 jobs.