Agenda item

New Application for a Premises Licence For Nostalgia Fest 2018 at Hayes Street Farm BR3 7LB

Minutes:

Hearing: 

 

The sub-committee panel considered the application for a one day premises licence on the 28th July 2018 for the retail sale of alcohol and regulated entertainment at Hayes Farm. An event management plan accompanied the application.

 

The applicant, Ms Katie Hanlon put forward representations in support of the application. She explained to the panel that the festival would be beneficial to the area and would allow the community to get together ‘‘because everyone loves music’’ and would generate potential job opportunities. She explained that although objectors had described the Fest as a rave, this was a term and expression of a dance. She emphasised that there would be no drugs or violence at the event.

 

Councillor Allen stated that reference was made to children attending the event last year. The applicant stated that there were no under 18’s at the event last year. She stated that the event this year would hold a maximum capacity of 4,000 people and she expected an 82% turn out.

 

Councillor Owen asked the applicant why she expected to receive a full turn out. The applicant stated that she had created a more effective marketing plan and had received a good response from the general public, including local traders.

 

Councillor  Allen made reference to the fire exits and disabled facilities on the day. The applicant stated that those matters had been addressed in the Event Management Plan.

 

Councillor Owen asked the applicant to set out the circumstances in which she broke some of the licensing conditions during her event last year. The applicant explained that she took full responsibility for sound issues the previous  year. She stated that the sound team did not take full control of the sound system which caused some noise to travel. However, she explained that she would use a sound limiter which would be set and therefore would not allow the sound to go above a set decibel. She explained that she had taken on a reputable company called ‘Southdowns’ to manage this function.  The applicant  offered a noise limiter condition in order to assure the sub-committee.

 

Sarah Brewer stated that the noise team had received 4 complaints about noise during the day last year. She explained that  Dr Pugh set  the conditions last year and the applicant had breached all of them. Sarah asked the applicant about the sound software that would be used at the event. The applicant stated that the sound engineers and consultant Southdowns, would have access and control over the software. Ms Brewer asked the applicant whether the noise team could have access to the software. The applicant stated that this would probably be ok, but would need to look into it. She then stated that Southdowns would be happy to communicate with Bromley Council.

 

The applicant was asked how she proposed to deal with the traffic and parking issues. She explained that she had spoken to TFL regarding bus routes, secured disabled, event parking and a private taxi area. She also stated that the event was held at Norman Park last year. She had no choice but to move it to Hayes Street  Farm due to an 1826 document retrieved from a local resident which allegedly restricts Bromley Council, the landowner, from using Norman Park for entertainment purposes. She stated that the document was being challenged and that she wished to remain in the Bromley area.

 

The applicant referred the panel to the Event Management Plan which set out the ticketing process, security, health and safety, role of bar staff and Challenge 25 policy. 

 

Councillor Arthur  put forward representations on behalf of local residents. He firmly submitted that Hayes Farm was the wrong place to hold a festival. He described the location and stated that it had never been used as a venue for entertainment. He emphasised that it was a farm and should be used as such. He stated that the sound of the music would be directed at houses as close as 300 meters away. He also submitted that the access roads to the site were totally unsuitable.

 

The applicant acknowledged that it was a farm but stated that it was also used for car boot fairs. She explained that the person who managed the land had no issues with the event being held on the farm and the owner of Hayes Farm shop was very supportive. She emphasised that there would be no problem with accessing the site as it would be the same route used for boot fairs.

 

The applicant accepted that any decision reached would be subject to the approval of the Safety Advisory Group (SAG). 

 

Decision:

 

The panel made the following decision having regard to:

 

- the four licensing objectives:

  - the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy 2016 – 2021

  - guidance issued under the Licensing Act 2003

  - written and oral representations from the applicant

  - written representations from local residents

 

Written and oral representations made by one of the Ward Councillors, Councillor Graham Arthur.

 

Written and oral representations from the Public Health Nuisance Team

 

Subject to the approval of the Safety Advice Group (SAG) the panel decided to grant the application as applied for--subject to conditions:

 

The application had applied for permission to supply alcohol, provide live and recorded music, and be open to the public from 12.00 to 22.00

 

The Conditions attached to the Permission were:

 

1.  A permitted noise level (MNL) not to exceed 15dB (A) over the background noise level (which is taken to be 30dB (A) indicative of a quite rural location) i.e. 45dB (A) one metre from the façade of any residential premises over a 15-minute period

 

2. Low frequency content of the music level shall not exceed a C-weighted limit up to and no more than 70 dB(A) in either of the 63Hz or 125hz octave frequency bands at 2km and beyond.

 

3. The licensee shall appoint a suitably experienced and qualified noise control consultant to the approval of the licensing authority, no later than 28 days prior to the event; the noise control consultant would liaise with all parties and would have ultimate control of all sound levels on the day of the event.

 

4.  A noise management plan must be approved by the Local Authority at least 28 days prior to the event and adhered to during the event.

 

5. The London Borough Bromley Licensing and Public Health Nuisance Teams should have access to the noise monitoring results at any time.

 

Sub-Committee’s Findings and Reasons:

 

Taking all the circumstances into consideration, the Panel considered that the imposition of the additional licence conditions were necessary and proportionate in order to promote the prevention of public nuisance and public safety licensing objectives.

 

 

Supporting documents: