Plans to remove a special licensing policy from north Kingston have been called a "slap in the face" for residents.

The boundaries of Kingston's Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ) will be reviewed at a licensing committee meeting tonight.

The policy currently covers areas of the Grove, Tudor and Canbury wards, and creates a “rebuttal presumption” allowing councillors to refuse applications for new or varied alcohol unless the applicant can demonstrate there would be no negative impact on the town centre.

Since being introduced in 2011, police have acknowledged the CIZ as having a positive effect on Kingston town centre and has helped to uphold the council's licensing objectives.

But now council officers are considering reducing the area covered by the CIZ, based on the number of alcohol-related offences taking place in the town centre.

It would see both the Canbury and Tudor wards – north of Kingston station and up to Canbury Gardens – removed from the policy entirely. Only Grove ward would still be covered.

And it's left Canbury ward councillor Andrea Craig furious.

Coun Craig, who campaigned with north Kingston residents for the CIZ to be introduced, said: "It is an insult to suggest that it only applies to the town centre.

"The policy was created in the first place because the residents of Canbury were fed up with anti-social behaviour near their houses.

"I'm absolutely disgusted. This is a slap in the face for Canbury residents."

The Conservative councillor said she would make her feelings clear at tonight's meeting.

She added: "The council thought they could just slip this through without anyone noticing.

"If you try and take away our cumulative impact policy - bring it on. We'll see what that looks like."

The licensing meeting starts at 7.30pm tonight at Guildhall.