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 review of a premises licence in respect of Out to Grass, Woodend Farm, Cradley, Herefordshire. WR13 5JW called by the Environmental Health as a Responsible Authority under the Licensing Act 2003.

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 reports published on 31 March 2026 and the supplements published on 8, 9 and 10 April 2026.

The hearing was attended by the Premises Licence Holder (‘PLH’) Mr Ian Johnson, the Events Manager, Ms Clair Kelly, Andy Baylass House Sound Engineer and the solicitor to the PLH, Mr Ewen MacGregor. Also in attendance providing evidence were Ms Elisabeth Laughland and Ms Jade Reynolds of Herefordshire Environmental Health. Mr John Ellis, Mrs Neeta Ellis and Mr Chris Moorhead were in attendance as members of the public and local residents who had made representations in respect of the application to review.

Before the Sub-Committee heard evidence in respect of the application, Ms Bowell, Senior Technical Officer Licensing, paid tribute to Principal Licensing Officer Fred Spriggs, who had very sadly passed away recently. The Chair and Members of the Sub-Committee endorsed the tribute paid and echoed Ms Bowell’s sentiments towards Fred, who was highly thought of and respected within the Licensing community and those he worked with.

Prior to making its decision, the Licensing Sub-Committee again heard from Ms Bowell, who presented a report which outlined the circumstances leading to the review and the options available to the Sub-Committee.

Ms Laughland and Ms Reynolds, representing Herefordshire Council Environmental Health, provided details of the application for review and detailed a history of visits to the premises. The principal points made were as follows:

·       There had been an ongoing issue with noise complaints at the premises which had escalated over a significant period of time.

·       Since the licence had been issued, when it had been anticipated the premises would host 2 events per year, there had been an increase in the number of events taking place at the premises.

·       Environmental Health had received 38 requests for investigation from 8 different households. 

·       In 2001, 2015 and 2025 the Environmental Health Department had issued and served abatement notices in relation to the premises.

·       Noise issues at the site concerned bass beats as the primary source of nuisance.

·       The structures on the site provided little sound attenuation to prevent sound from impacting on the neighbouring properties.

·       Music festivals took place over several days, usually Thursday to Sunday which creates ongoing nuisance to local residents.

·       Details were provided on the number of events that had been held over recent years and the complaints received.

·       A full investigation by Environmental Health over the summer of 2025 had led to a further abatement notice being issued and the current application to review the premises licence.

·       A number of sound clips were played providing an illustration of the volume and type of music being played at events taking place at the venue in 2025.

·       In July 2025 the Environment Health Department had sent warning letters to the PLH to ask the premises to address bass levels at events being held. These letters had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55.