Issue - meetings

To consider an application for a new premises licence to allow supply of alcohol, provision of live music, films, recorded music and provision of facilities for dancing.

Daliah Barrett introduced the application for a new premises licence for the Earl Haig Social, as set out in the agenda papers.  Representations had been made a subsequently withdrawn by the Police, Regulatory Services and Trading Standards, following agreement by the Applicant to the conditions set out in the representations.

Representations had been made by a number of Interested Parties (details as set out in the agenda pack), and some of these were in attendance at the hearing.

Ms Barrett informed the Committee that from the 1 October 2012, the provision of live music was no longer a licensable activity between the hours of 0800-2300 hours.

Derek Pearce – Enforcement Response Service – outlined the representation made against the application.  Any premises operating beyond 2300 hours was considered to be a potential nuisance to local neighbours.  The hours requested on the application were inappropriate for a premises situated close to residential dwellings.  The conditions as set out in the Enforcement Response Service representation would reduce the risk of disturbance to local residents, but any premises open after 2300 hours would increase the risk.

Miki Lentin – Interested Party – outlined his representation against the application.  He had received over 120 signatures to an online petition, which  demonstrated a strong local objection to the application.  Local residents already experienced incidents of public nuisance, and this would only be exacerbated should the licence be granted.  The premises were located on a residential street with many young families, and there were concerns that a licensed premises would lead to an increase in noise and cause parking issues on the street.  In response to questions from the Committee, Mr Lentin explained that the nuisance currently experienced by local residents was mainly from the Queens Pubs (at the corner of the road) and including late night noise, fighting, vomiting and other anti-social behaviour.

Mr James Key – Interested Party – outlined his representation against the application.  He lived opposite the premises and his bedroom faced the premises.  If the premises were to operate then there would be a huge impact on noise in the area, which would affect his sleep.  There was little noise when the premises operated as the British Legion, if a pub opened in the premises, there would be a big impact on the noise levels.  Mr Key explained that if the premises opened then the sporadic issues experienced with the Queens pub would be magnified.

Mr Peter Myers – Interested Party – outlined his representation against the application.  Mr Myers had been the operator of the Queens pub for the past six years.  He had worked with neighbours and residents to deal with any potential issues of crime and disorder and public nuisance.  His customers were encouraged to leave by Tottenham Lane and not use the residential streets, the garden was closed early following complaints from local residents and he had reduced the opening times of the premises to reflect the location.  He was objecting on the grounds of crime and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5