To receive apologies for absence.

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

There were no substitutes present at the meeting.

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.

Councillor Polly Andrews declared that one of the public representations were known to her as they were the former head teacher of Holmer C of E Primary School and Cllr Andrews was a governor for the school.   Councillor Andrews declared that there was no close personal association.

To consider an application for a grant of a premise licence in respect of Wild by Nature, Lower House Farm, Longtown, Herefordshire. HR2 0NT.

Before starting the discussion on this item, the chairperson outlined that some of the public representation were in relation to highways matters which were outside of the remit of the Licensing Act 2003.    Highways matters outside of the Licensing Act 2003 would need to be considered under the relevant planning legislation.  

The principal licensing officer presented the report.     

The sub-committee heard from the public representations who highlighted:

·            That the highways issues were relevant because of the geography of the land and the location of the premises.

·            The applicant was diversifying the business from farming to other activities.  Most of the other activities had had little negative impact on the community.

·            The families on Lower House Farm are embedded within the community.  

·            The applicant had amended the application due to concerns raised by the community so that no outdoor music or outdoor cinema timings were now being sought.

·            The gateway from the premises went onto an unclassified road and it was approximately 2.3 miles to a T-junction.   The road was only wide enough for one vehicle, with very few passing opportunities, there were 3 90 degree corners, no visibility and the verges were vertical.  The condition of the road was considered poor and deteriorating.

·            There had been an increase in commercial traffic.

·            The premises were at the bottom of a valley which acted like a cone.

·            It was noted that weddings could be held on different days so that the business could operate flexibly.   This would mean an increase in the numbers of people accessing and leaving the premises on a narrow road.   As the premises were located in a rural area, there would be no street lights and there was no footpaths for pedestrians to use which presented a danger to any walkers etc. 

·            The premises may use mini buses and this would mitigate the amount of traffic but there would still be an increase in the numbers of people using the road.

·            It was acknowledged that the premises were well run and that there had been little impact on the community.  

·            It was requested that the sub-committee look at the frequency of wedding events and what would be manageable for the local community and sustainable for the premises licence holder.     A suggestion of one wedding every one or two weeks was suggested and that steak / pizza events were only held when there were no weddings booked at the premises. 

·            The community were keen to work with the applicant to discuss all the areas of concerns. 

·            The unclassified road served 15 properties, the majority of which were farms.   This would mean that there were tractors and trailers towing livestock using the road and during the summer the road would be used during the night. 

·            It was noted that if vehicles did meet on the road, there may be a need for a vehicle to reverse potentially back up to the T-junction.

·            On the T-junction, there was a holiday cottage which may be impacted by an increase in the number  ...  view the full minutes text for item 94.

To consider an application for a new premises licence in respect of Bromyard Service Station, 1 The Bypass, Bromyard, Herefordshire. HR7 4DJ.

The representations for this application had now been agreed by all parties and the item was withdrawn from the sub-committee’s agenda.