Agenda and minutes

To elect a Chairman for the meeting.

To note any declarations of interest made by members in connection with an agenda item. The nature of the interest must also be specified.

            Decision of the Sub-Committee

The application is granted on the following terms and conditions (as applied for):

  Sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises

Sunday to Wednesday - 10:00hrs to 23:00hrs

Thursday to Saturday - 10:00hrs to 23:30hrs

   Requested Opening Hours (not open to the public but for events only):

Monday to Sunday - 09:00hrs to 24:00hrs

Added Condition to be attached to the Licence: Applicant to keep a record of noise complaints from local residents in the Licensing Incidents Register.

            Reasons for the Decision

The Sub-Committee considered the application for a premises licence along with the evidence, both written and oral, supplied by the Applicant and all those who had made relevant representations.

In reaching its decision, the Sub-Committee has had regard to:

·      The Home Office Guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003,

·      The Council's own Statement of Licensing Policy.

·      Home Office Guidance

·      Relevant Representations presented by all parties

At the hearing, the Sub-Committee carefully listened to all the evidence that was provided and considered what action, if any, was appropriate for the promotion of the four licensing objectives namely, the prevention of crime and disorder; public safety; the prevention of public nuisance; and the protection of children from harm.

The main areas of concern raised by those objecting to the application related to the following:

·Concerns by residents about the potential frequency of events at the premises, (the   application currently seeks the licensable activity on all days),

· The operating hours requested on the application,

· Noise from guests that have drunk alcohol,

· Noise from guests who are enjoying the outside areas,

· Noise from music (however this did not form part of the application),

· Effects on vulnerable adults on the site.

The Council’s legal representative advised that certain issues raised by objectors, such as planning, traffic and highways, building regulations, sewerage and light pollution, water supply, fire safety, impact on wildlife and drink driving, as well as whether there was a ‘need’ for additional licenced premises in the area, were not relevant to the licensing objectives for the purposes of the Application.

The premises site was the administrative headquarters for the Minstead Trust, a charitable organisation that provided support for adults with learning difficulties. It was a registered charity (No 1053319) and had been in existence for a number of years. The main reason given for the Application was to improve revenue streams for the charity. 

The Sub Committee heard that Minstead Lodge had previously catered for weddings and had been able to sell alcoholic drinks under Temporary Event Notices (TEN) and, in the past, may have allowed “Bring your own alcohol” (“BYO”), for which no payment was made and therefore was not licensable.

It was acknowledged that the Applicant had arranged for a noise report to be  undertaken at the premises, but the results were not yet available and there was currently no plan in place for managing noise.  The Applicant reported that the Trust was installing a sound system to be used by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.