To receive apologies for absence.

Councillor K Guthrie gave apologies. 

To receive any details of Members nominated to attend the meeting in place of a Member of the committee.

Councillor BA Baker substituted for Councillor K Guthrie. 

To receive declarations of interests in respect of Schedule 1, Schedule 2 or Other Interests from members of the committee in respect of items on the agenda.

To consider an application for a variation of a premises licence for in respect of Drovers Rest, Llanerch-y-Coed, Dorstone, HR3 6AG.

Members of the licensing sub committee of the council’s planning and regulatory committee considered the above application, full details of which appeared before the Members in their agenda and the background papers.

Prior to making their decision the members heard from Fred Spriggs, Licensing Officer, Mr David Jones, representing Clifford Parish Council, Elizabeth Laughland, Principal Environmental Health Officer and Mrs Kesri Smolas, premises licence holder.

Mr David Jones representing Clifford Parish stated that the parish council had met on 10 January and discussed the premises which had also been discussed at previous parish council meetings.   The feeling of the parish council was that there was misinformation and misunderstanding between the premises licence holder and the community.   The parish council did not wish to be killjoys or stop a business which brings in tourism.   However, the concern remained that the licence was for 365 days a year until 0100hrs and was for indoor and outdoor entertainment with alcohol being served.   The parish council were also concerned about the honesty box and events where children would be present which could harm children.    The parish council would like a compromise, e.g. a reduction in the number of days or a reduction in the hours.  

The legal advisor advised the sub committee that they could not take into account fears or concerns which may occur should the licence be granted.  The sub committee needed to make decision made on facts or evidence provided. 

The principal environmental health officer outlined that the environmental health team had not received any complaints in respect of the premises.   A visit had been carried out in respect of the request to vary the licence but was in connection with the possibility of large events being held in the open countryside as this could result in noise nuisance.   There are local residents just in eye sight and outside of eye range.   The nearest local resident is over 0.5 km away.   The topography of the land did assist with noise attenuation. 

The building covered by the premises licence was a well-built stone building with double glazing.  

Environmental health had been informed that the events would involve no more than 50 people and were likely to be events such as birthdays, hen or stag dos.    Environmental health had also noted that the music outside would be for events such as exercise related activities. 

A draft noise management plan had been submitted to environmental health.  To assist the sub committee, the meeting adjourned to allow all parties to read and consider a copy of the draft noise management plan which was provided by the applicant to environmental health. 

The premises licence holders had also previously requested a group to either leave the premises or reduce the noise.

Based on the agreed conditions, environmental health had no objection to the licence being granted. 

The sub committee then heard from Mrs Smolas.   Mrs Smolas stated that the premises had had a premises licence for the last four years without any complaints  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.