Plans to prevent new pubs and clubs from opening in seven Wolverhampton streets were today heavily criticised by the Campaign For Real Ale, which described the ban as a “disaster for the city”.

Camra has lodged a formal objection to the idea, which was first put forward by West Midlands Police in June and is now expected to be confirmed on November 4. The proposed policy has won the backing of city council leader Neville Patten but has sparked outrage from Camra.

If the scheme is approved, Broad Street, Bilston Street, Lichfield Street, North Street, Pipers Row, Queen Street and Market Street will be prevented from having any more bars and clubs, although entrepreneurs would have a right of appeal.

Jim Laws, the city’s spokesman for Camra, said: “This is a very bad idea. It would be a disaster for the city and we are objecting to it.

“It should not be approved by the council.

“The city centre depends on a quality range of drinking establishments and to limit the number would be a backwards step, particularly at the moment.

“I am urging it to be rejected next month,” he added.

The full council is to take a vote on the proposal after the licensing committee agreed on Wednesday to back it.

The policy would be the biggest crackdown on anti-social behaviour that the council’s ruling Conservative leadership has made since coming into power in May 2008.

If it gets the go-ahead, it means existing pubs, bars and club premises that have closed down will not be barred from opening up again, but the ban will apply to those who want to open up a new site.

The proposal, known as a cumulative impact policy, already exists in parts of Birmingham, Stourbridge, Leeds and Nottingham and has been created by the police as a result of spiralling costs in keeping town and city centre locations safe at night.

Councillor Patten has said he regards it as “a very useful tool” in clamping down on anti-social behaviour, with fellow politicians also backing it.