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 interest in respect of items on the agenda.

To consider an application for a grant of a premises licence in respect of Nozstock, Rowden Paddocks, Winslow, Bromyard, HR7 4LS under the Licensing Act 2003.

Members of the licensing Sub-Committee from the Council’s Planning and Regulatory Committee considered the above application, full details of which appeared before the members in their agenda published on 24 June 2025 and three supplements; one published on 24 June and two on 27 June 2025.

Prior to making its decision the clerk presented the report which outlined the options available to the Sub-Committee. Two representations were received from the responsible authorities; West Mercia Police and Trading Standards. The conditions proposed by both responsible authorities were agreed with the applicant. Sixteen (16) relevant representations were received from members of the public that the licensing authority accepted as being relevant and eight (8) letters of support were received. The clerk summarised the application and provided an overview of the representations received.

The Sub-Committee heard from the public representatives that:

·       The major concern with the application from the local community centred on the impact on public amenity. The local community was prepared to collaborate with the applicant to reach a considered and satisfactory outcome.

·       The application for the licence and decision-making of the sub-committee should take account of the requirements of the Herefordshire Core Strategy, the National Planning Policy Framework and Herefordshire Council Licensing Policy. Such policies placed significant weight upon the protection of the amenity of local residents.

·       The Noise Management Plan that had been submitted by the applicant was provided late in supplementary papers and lacked necessary detail.

·       Rowden Paddocks was a beautiful and tranquil location that was affected adversely by noise in the evening.

·       Crumplebury Farm was a local venue that hosted events such as weddings that was an exemplar of how a local business should regulate its activities with: appropriate conditions for the limitation of sound levels; restrictions on the location of amplified music; an appropriate curfew for events; clear communication with the local community; and a good system to deal with complaints. Crumplebury Farm had a robust, objective and evidenced noise management plan (NMP) which adhered to legislation and protected residential amenity.

·       In comparison with Crumplebury Farm, the NMP submitted by Nozstock Ltd contained far less detail and arrangements for the handling of complaints at Rowden Paddocks was inadequate.

·       During consideration of the application an assessment of noise and disruption were crucial in decision making.

·       The current application proposed a series of events that was very different to the annual Nozstock festival that had taken place previously. Local residents’ experience of Nozstock had not been positive but there had been a forbearance of the event once a year.

·       The festival was once a year and did not extend into the early morning; the current application proposed a series of events which lasted late into the evening and early morning.

·       The location of the application was a peaceful rural environment and 11:00 p.m. was a more suitable terminal hour for events. There had been a suggestion previously that there was not a problem with artists breaching the terminal hour.

·       In the application it was conditioned  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.