Issue - meetings

To consider an application for a new premises licence at Crocodile, 155 Lordship Lane, N17 6XE.

At the start of the meeting, Cllr Mallett advised that a resident had previously contacted her in objection to the planning application for change of use at the premises, and she had referred them on to Cllr McNamara as councillor for the appropriate Ward.

The Licensing Officer, Dale Barrett presented the report on an application for a new premises licence at Crocodile, 155 Lordship Lane, Tottenham N17 6XE. The letter of objection submitted by Cllr McNamara was tabled in full at the meeting, as a section had been omitted from the version in the agenda pack. Ms Barrett advised that, further to the mediation meeting, the applicant had offered a condition that the rear garden would not be used after 8pm and that there would be no smoking in the rear garden permitted at any time. It was reported that the Police representation had been withdrawn, as all proposed conditions had been accepted by the applicant, and that the conditions proposed by the Environmental Health officers for both noise and health and safety had also been accepted in full. The Committee was advised that applicant had accepted a caution for serving alcohol without a licence. Ms Barrett also advised the Committee that in response to the letters regarding the hearing being sent out, six residents had contacted the licensing team to advise that they had signed the petition in the belief that they were signing about parking issue, and not a specific licensing issue, and that the Committee should take this into account in considering the due weight to give to representations contained in the bundle.

In response to a question from the Committee, it was confirmed that there had not been a licence at the premises before, as the previous use of the site had been a hairdressers. Recent sales of alcohol subsequent to the caution and prior to this hearing had been covered by Temporary Event Notices.

Cllr McNamara, Cllr Dogus, Mr Pipe, who lived immediately adjacent to the premises, and Mr Bouden, supporting Mr Pipe, addressed the Committee in objection to the application and raised the following points:

• The principal issue was the close proximity of Mr Pipe’s residence to the rear garden of the premises, as any noise from the garden would be audible within the house. Although the cut-off hour was welcomed, there were still concerns regarding the impact on Mr Pipe’s ability to have peaceful enjoyment of his property during weekends and public holidays.
• Concerns were raised regarding the applicant’s previous conduct in selling alcohol without a licence, and the indication this gave of whether conditions would be adhered to.
• The agreement not to permit smoking at the rear of the premises was welcomed, but if smoking were to take place at the frontage, appropriate cigarette butt receptacles and clear demarcation between the premises forecourt and the street would be required.
• There was concern that anti-social behaviour from patrons would be difficult to control, and that properties on Lordsmead Lane would be especially  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5