Issue - meetings

The Application:

The applicant sought a premises licence for the supply of alcohol within a renovated pavilion for both on and off sales from 11.00 to 23.00 on Monday to Saturday and from 11.00 to 22.00 on Sunday. The premises being open to the public from 08.00 to 23.30 Mondays to Saturday and 08.00 to 22.30 on Sunday.

The case for the applicant:

The applicant’s consultant, Mr Mayhew advised that the applicant was a private company owned by four families. The site was currently used by three football teams for children’s and young persons’ football. It was mainly used on Saturday and Sundays. The club house needed refurbishment and to raise funds, a licence to supply alcohol at the pavilion was being sought. Many of the bookings would be from members of the club, but not exclusively so. The pavilion would not just be limited to football use and could be hired for a wide range of purposes. It was explained that the clubhouse, when refurbished, could be used by up to 150 persons, although this would be dependent on a fire risk assessment.

Mr Mayhew explained that his client had carefully considered the large number of objections. Some of the objections, in his submission, were not a matter for licensing. There were complaints about inconsiderate parking in the nearby streets and also traffic conflicts due to the narrow nature of St Dunstan’s Lane, backing onto Wickham Way. While public safety was a licensing objective, Mr Mayhew pointed out that the applicant had no control over parking issues outside of the site. Likewise, if persons were currently loitering in the area, this could not be related to the application. With reference to concerns about school children from the nearby schools passing the site, the applicant managed football for children and young persons and had child protection policies in place. Environmental issues and issues concerning the planning designation of the surrounding area as an area of special residential character were not for the licensing hearing.

Mr Mayhew said the objections had been carefully considered by the applicant. In addition to the agreed police conditions, the applicant had put forward 27 additional conditions for consideration. The car park could hold about 50 cars which was reasonable for the property. The hours were usual hours for a licensed premises. A dispersal policy could minimise the risk of nuisance when patrons left the premises.

(ii) The case for the objectors

In addition to the written representations, the sub-committee was addressed  by a representative of the Park Langley Residents Association. She pointed out the proximity of nearby residential properties in Wickham Way. The residents were already subject to noise within their houses from the use of the playing fields. This would be likely to worsen if the supply of alcohol was permitted. She was concerned that there was not a sufficient link with the sporting function of the site and the proposal could be described as for entertainment venue. There had been a dramatic  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15