To consider an application for a grant of a premise licence in respect Shires Park, Ullingswick, Herefordshire. HR1 3JE 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 and the background papers.

The technical licensing officer presented the report.     

The sub-committee first heard from environmental protection who highlighted the following:

·        The premises were a new start up catering for caravanning and the applicants would like to operate a small store for on and off trade sales. 

·        Supplement 3 which had been published on the morning of the meeting which showed the distance of individual premises in relation to the licensable area.   

·        It was not clear where entertainment would be taking place.

·        It was noted that outdoor entertainment had been now been removed from the application for the licence.

·        The area for licensable activity had now been reduced.

·        The premises were in a rural location and the applicant had not recognised that there would be low background noise and there was little mention of close neighbours.

·        There was a lack of clarity with regard to licensable activity which included likely numbers, frequency, whether the public could visit or if customers had to stay on site.  Without this information, then public nuisance was likely to be of concern.

·         

The sub-committee then heard from the public representations:

·        The concerns from the parish council which were attached as part of the public representations were read out.

·        There was no knowledge of Claire Thompson and Diane Thompson had no personal licence so it was questioned whether a premises licence could be granted.

·        There were concerns that this would lead to the development of an event management business.

·        The Barn had already been turned into a shower block

·        Given the location of the premises, the noise would carry significantly.

·        It was acknowledged that the issue of outdoor music had been addressed.

·        There was no clarity as to whether this would turn into a party venue or a mini festival venue.

·        This was a very open application with very little detail.

The sub-committee then heard from the applicant’s agent who highlighted that:

·        The applicant was a very responsible person.

·        The premises was a new start up catering for caravanning and camping and the applicant would like to operate a small store and provide onsite entertainment.

·        The site could be opened under the permitted development rights which had been extended from 28 days to 56 days.  Issues relating to planning were not within the scope of the licensing sub committee.

·        The noise complaint was in relation to an event held at the Chase and should be considered irrelevant.

·        Given the concerns raised, the request for outdoor entertainment had been withdrawn from the applicant.

·        The applicant’s agent had been trying to contact environmental protection since 9 March and the first contact was on 7 April.

·        The location photograph (supplement 3) showed several circles some of which were not domestic but were light industrial.

·        Details of the application had been published in the Hereford Times.

·        The applicant does not need a personal licence in order to apply for a premises licence but was currently training in order to obtain one.

·        This was a modest application for a club house

The licensing authority confirmed that the applicant had applied to be a designated premises supervisor (DPS) and in order to be a DPS, there was a requirement to be a personal licence holder.

The sub-committee moved into private session in order to discuss the application.   Following the discussion, the sub-committee decided to adjourn the meeting until 17 May at 2.30 pm which would allow for a site visit on 7 May at 10.30 am.   The reason for the site visit was due to the number of changes to the application made during the meeting and the need to understand the location of the premises to fully consider the points made by environmental protection, the public representations and the applicant’s agent.