Issue - meetings

To consider an application to allow the provision of Regulated Entertainment,

the provision of Late Night Refreshment and the Supply of Alcohol at Kassaba, 1 New River Avenue, Hornsey, London, N8 7QD.

The Licensing Officer, Dale Barrett, presented the report on an application for a premises licence variation at Kassaba, 1 New River Avenue, Hornsey, London N8 7QD. In response to the consultation on the application, representation had been received from the Council’s Noise Team, and a number of letters had been received from local residents in objection. Ms Barrett clarified that in addition to the proposed extension of hours and increase in types of regulated entertainment offered, the application sought to replace the conditions on the existing license with those put forward in the operating schedule.

In response to a question from local residents, it was clarified that the proposed additional hour in relation to British Summertime was only applicable to the single day when British Summertime commenced.

Derek Pearce, Enforcement Response, presented the representation from the Noise Team. It was reported that the Noise Team had felt it necessary to make representations, given the history of complaints in relation to the premises, however it was felt that the imposition of conditions would address the issues raised. Mr Pearce advised that the Noise Team had agreed a revised set of conditions for those presented in the paperwork with the applicant, and this was tabled for information.

In response to questions from the Committee, Mr Pearce confirmed that the Council would inspect works such as the lobbied entrance and configuration of the sound limiter, to ensure these were completed satisfactorily. It was clarified that the external area formed part of the premises, but was not a site for any licensable activity to be carried out. Local residents asked how the Council would determine whether noise was at an ‘intrusive level’ or not, in response to which Mr Pearce reported that it shouldn’t be possible to hear noise from a premises from inside anyone’s home, so if noise was only just audible from outside the perimeter of a property, it was likely that this would be considered an acceptable level. Residents expressed concern that if noise were audible outside the premises, this could cause a nuisance in summer, when they wished to have their windows open.

In response to a question regarding the removal of the condition requiring lobbied doors to the premises, the applicant confirmed that work on a lobby for one set of doors was almost complete, and that a planning application had been submitted for the other set of doors; as this work was conditional on planning consent being granted, this could not be included as a condition on the licence.

Several local residents addressed the Committee to object to the application. Residents complained that they had been experiencing problems in relation to the premises since it opened; loud music had been played until the early hours of the morning on a regular basis, noise was caused by customers using the outside terrace and by customers leaving the premises. Residents reported having to call the police to break up a fight outside the premises, and also reported antisocial behaviour  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39