Agenda item

To consider the application by Jamaica Village Limited to allow provision of regulated entertainment and supply of alcohol at an event on 3^rd-12^th August 2012.

In presenting the outline of how the hearing would run, it was reported under the late documents item that there were a number of updated conditions which it was proposed would replace some of those set out in the agenda pack. On taking advice from Mr Michael, the Legal Officer, the Committee agreed to receive this late list of conditions after the responsible authorities had had the opportunity to make their representations on the conditions proposed.

 

The Licensing Officer, Dale Barrett, presented the report on an application for a new premises licence for Jamaica Village 2012, Finsbury Park, 3 – 12 August 2012 and the representations received in respect of this application from the responsible authorities and interested parties. The Committee was advised that Cllr Wilson would be speaking at the hearing on behalf of Mrs Edis, a Ward resident who had made a written representation as part of the consultation process.

 

Derek Pearce, Enforcement Response, addressed the Committee regarding the representation made by the Enforcement Response Team in relation to the licensing objective of the prevention of public nuisance. It was felt that a 10-day event, running from 11am to 11pm had the potential to cause disturbance to local residents, and a number of conditions had therefore been proposed, as set out in the agenda pack, in order to address the risk of public nuisance. Mr Pearce advised that the proposed conditions had been discussed with the applicant, but not all had been agreed. It was reported that the applicant had not agreed to the cessation of regulated entertainment at 2230 as requested by Enforcement Response, and it was suggested that, were the Committee minded to grant regulated entertainment until 2300 as requested, the nature of regulated entertainment permitted after 2230 be restricted. A cessation of regulated entertainment at 2230 had been requested in order to establish a ‘winding down’ period. Proposed conditions 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 10, as set out in the representation on pages 174-176 of the agenda pack, had been agreed with the applicant, but conditions 3, 4 and 8 had not, and the Committee was advised that the applicant would address them on these specific points. Mr Pearce advised that this was a unique event in the area, and there was therefore no local experience of an event lasting for a period of 10 days. It was felt best to err on the side of caution, and a reduction in permitted noise levels for days 6 – 10 of the event had been proposed on the basis of the Code of Practice, which identified that residents were likely to be more greatly affected by noise levels when an event had been going on for 3 consecutive days. In addition to any conditions attached, Mr Pearce advised the Committee that the Enforcement Response team retained all of their powers in dealing with any identified statutory noise nuisance.

 

In response to questions from the Committee regarding the nature of complaints in respect of previous events in Finsbury Park, it was reported that these were usually that people could hear the noise from the events, but that there was not a history of large numbers of complaints regarding events at Finsbury Park. It was further reported that the background noise levels provided in the report had been measured within the past 2-3 years.

 

Mr Crier, the applicant’s representative, asked Mr Pearce what he thought of the applicant’s proposal that noise levels be limited to 10dB above background level for days 5 and 6 of the event, to provide a natural break in noise levels, rather than for days 6 – 10, in response to which Mr Pearce advised that he felt that this would still be the equivalent of 8 consecutive days of loud music for residents, and would not necessarily provide significant respite. Mr Pearce advised that although there were not historically large numbers of complaints regarding concerts in the park operating at 15dB above background noise levels, this may be because people understood that it would only be for a limited period and were therefore more likely to tolerate the noise levels. In response to a question from Mr Crier, Mr Pearce welcomed the proposals for loud music at 15dB above background levels to cease at 8pm. In response to a question from Konrad Borowski, a local resident, Mr Pearce advised that it was correct that there would be a number of sources of recorded music in addition to live music on the main stage and that it would be the cumulative noise level which would be measured. Mr Michael asked for an explanation of what was meant by the requested Noise Management Plan being a ‘live’ document, in response to which Mr Pearce advised that they would expect to continue working with the applicants to address any new issues that may arise and for the Noise Management Plan to be amended in light of any ongoing issues, with the agreement of all parties.

 

Sgt Willmott of the Metropolitan Police addressed the Committee in respect of the representation made by the police. Sgt Willmott advised the Committee that some of the conditions proposed by the police had been agreed with the applicant as set out in the agenda pack, some had been agreed with amended wording, and some were not agreed. The Committee was advised that the proposed condition a) regarding search policy had not been agreed, b) had been agreed, c) had been agreed as re-worded so as to read “A full Traffic Management Order to be written by Live Nation and agreed with the Police and Local Authority through the LSAG process.”, d) and e) had been agreed, f) had not been agreed, as the applicants had suggested that sale of alcohol cease at 22:30hrs while the Police felt that 2200 was an appropriate time for a community event, and also raised the issue that the event was being held during Ramadan, in the vicinity of two very large mosques so there was a desire to minimise emphasis on the sale of alcohol in this context. It was reported that condition g) had been agreed with the last sentence amended to read “The number of officers and the cost will be discussed and agreed with the Organisers in advance”, h) was agreed, i) was not agreed, j) was not agreed andk) was agreed as amended to read “The Event Organiser shall liaise with the agencies during the pre-event planning process to formulate suitable procedures for dealing with unlicensed ticket and street trading in relation to the event and the strategy for ticket sales and information when event days are sold out.”. An additional condition worded “The Event Organiser shall liaise with the agencies during the pre-event planning process to detail the ticketing strategy and communication strategy for the event” had been agreed, condition l) was agreed as amended so as to read “No glass receptacles, containers or bottles should be used for the consumption of alcohol or any other drink in any public area. This includes the V.I.P. areas.  If the Police deem it necessary during the event, this will also include the artist's area. The artists and their entourage will not be able to take glass receptacles out of the artist's area” and conditions m) and n) (incorrectly labelled as a second m) in the document pack) had been agreed as proposed by the police.

 

The Committee asked questions of the police regarding the number of officers needed in order to ensure a safe event, and the resources that would be available for policing events during the Olympics period. Sgt Willmott advised that the number of officers required would not be known until closer to the event, and would be based on knowledge of the expected numbers attending the event and any intelligence received. Sgt Willmott explained the process being followed in respect of allocating resources for the policing of events during the Olympics, and confirmed that given the number of different entrances to Finsbury Park, this was considered a difficult event to police. In response to a question from the Committee regarding why agreement on condition a) had not been reached, it was agreed that the applicant would cover this in their submission. Sgt Willmott confirmed that security would be required outside the perimeter fence as well as inside – the Committee was advised that the number of police required would be affected by the numbers of security staff proposed in the security plan, as the greater the number of security staff, the fewer police officers would be required. It was confirmed that the police tried to work with applicants on a security plan such that no police officers were required within the event itself.

 

Mr Borowski asked how people who came to hear the music from outside the perimeter without purchasing a ticket would be managed, in response to which Sgt Willmott confirmed that the applicants’ responsibility was to provide security for the footprint of the event, which included the area outside the perimeter fence. It was also confirmed that it would be expected that the organisers would arrange for some additional security to be provided in the rest of the park, and that policing levels in the rest of the park would also be increased.

 

In response to questions from the applicant, Sgt Willmott confirmed that while it was always the ideal to ensure that no police officers were required within the perimeter of an event, this was not always possible. Sgt Willmott also confirmed that the police had no particular concerns with regard to the professionalism of the applicants. Mr Crier asked Sgt Willmott whether he agreed that the alternative wording proposed for the condition regarding the search policy simply offered a greater level of flexibility, Sgt Willmott advised that the police view remained that all persons entering the site would need to be searched and that this should be a requirement on the licence as a matter of safety. Mr Crier and Sgt Willmott discussed the different understandings each had in relation to the nature of any music to be played after 2000hrs, as the police had originally understood that any music played after this time would only be acoustic and to specifically accompany Olympic events being shown; it was suggested that this was an issue that needed to be looked into further between the parties.

 

Cllr Wilson addressed the Committee on behalf of Mrs Edis, who had made a written representation expressing concerns regarding the application in relation to the length of time for which alcohol would be sold, the potential exacerbation of existing anti-social behaviour issues in the park, and the impact on local residents and other park users during the school summer holidays. Mrs Edis had expressed the view that she would welcome any reduction in hours and in noise levels in order to provide some protection for local residents.

 

Mr Konrad Borowski addressed the Committee as a local resident, and expressed concerns regarding the proposed length of the event, as well as the proposed set-up and take-down times, and the impact this would have on the area. Mr Borowski expressed that young people would be attracted to the event to hear music but would not want to pay for a ticket and would therefore hang around in the area without being managed by the organisers in order to listen. It was emphasised that the event would run over the working week, when many people might work from home and would be unable to open their windows in hot weather because of the noise disturbance. Mr Borowski presented letters from other local residents expressing similar concerns.

 

In response to questions from the Committee, Mr Borowski advised that he was able to hear the music from other events from his home, but that he was able to put up with it as these were generally for a short time.

 

Jan Hart and Eryka Bancroft of Islington Council addressed the Committee. Mr Crier made a submission to the Committee for the record that Islington were not a responsible authority under the Act and were included in the pack as an interested party only. Mr Crier expressed some doubt that Islington met the criteria to be an interested party, and advised that the Committee needed to satisfy itself of the extent to which Islington Council represented local residents’ concerns. Mr Michael advised the Committee of paragraph 8.5 of the Section 182 guidance, under which it was felt that Islington Council did constitute an interested party, but that it was right for the Committee to challenge them in respect of the degree to which they represented residents living in the vicinity. Ms Hart felt that 10 days was excessively long for the event, as it was their experience that residents’ tolerance of noise nuisance reduced after 2-3 consecutive days. Concern was expressed in relation to the sound testing proposed in addition to the maximum of 3 hours’ music on the main stage, and that the variety of different sources of amplified music on the site would be difficult to manage. A series of suggested noise conditions had been proposed in order to strengthen control of any nuisance caused by the event. Although confidence was felt in the expertise of the existing noise consultants, strong conditions were still necessary to ensure adequate controls in the event that there was a change in contractor. Concern was also expressed in relation to traffic at Finsbury Park station, which was a busy interchange, and in relation to the impact of people leaving the event and heading to businesses on the Islington side of the borough boundary.

 

In response to questions from the Committee, Ms Hart outlined the arrangements put in place for events at the Emirates stadium. Concern was expressed that greater details regarding security arrangements were not yet provided, and that there was no detail given regarding how crowds at Finsbury Park station would be managed. Mr Michael asked Mr Pearce for his view on the conditions suggested by Islington, in response to which Mr Pearce advised that there was no significant conflict in his view between the conditions proposed by Islington and the views of Haringey’s Enforcement Response service.

 

The Committee discussed with all parties the amount of business still to be covered in respect of the application, in the context of the lateness of the evening.

 

RESOLVED

 

That the hearing be adjourned at 21:50hrs, to be reconvened at 18:00hrs, Monday 19^th December.

 

Clerk’s note:  The hearing reconvened on Monday 19^th December 2011 at 18:00 hrs.

 

Mr Crier addressed the Committee giving a history of Finsbury Park; comparing the likeness of its sporting, artistic and recreational nature to that of the Jamaica Village event.   The Jamaica Village event would celebrate Jamaican culture, arts, sport and history and would coincide with the 50^th anniversary of Jamaica’s independence and the 2012 London Olympic Games.  Mr Crier recognised the key concerns of security and noise raised by the interested parties and called upon Michael Cunnah, who was working with the Applicant to ensure a successful event.

 

Mr Cunnah referred to the Jamaica Village 2012 presentation brochure and explained that it was more than a music event and would promote the country’s landmarks, culture, arts, food, fashion, athletics and other Jamaican products and, whilst not officially funded, it had received the support of the Mayor of London.  Live Nation had been hired to assist with organising the event and the key focus was now to agree a balance of adequate security and operating hours.

 

Mr Crier tabled amended conditions in response to both the police and noise representations and the following points were noted:

 

In relation to the Metropolitan Police Conditions (originally set out on pages 173 – 176 of the agenda pack)

·        Condition 1 - The Applicant had agreed to the searching of every person entering the event. 

·        Conditions 2 - 5 were agreed as laid out.

·        Condition 6 - The Applicant had agreed to closing all licensed bars at 22:00 hrs.

·        Condition 7 – amended wording proposed, the event would involve 200-225 security staff; the final numbers will be agreed during planning meetings involving the Police.

·        Condition 8 – was agreed.

·        Condition 9 – amended wording proposed.  This condition was met within the EHO conditions.

·        Conditions 10 – 14 were agreed.

·        Condition 15 – was agreed.

 

In relation to the Islington Council and Noise Team proposed conditions (originally set out on pages 192 – 194 of the agenda pack)

• Conditions 1 & 2 were agreed.
• Condition 3 – alternative wording proposed to allow flexibility and future agreement with the EHO.
• Condition 4 – alternative wording proposed.
• The remaining conditions were agreed.

 

Mr Crier emphasised that it would not be commercially viable for the event to close at 22:00 hrs and highlighted the agreement that live music would cease at 20:00 hrs and that there would be two “quite days” where music would be played at a lower level. 

 

Mr  Robert Peirce, Vanguard Consultancy, explained his role of sound control of the event, which included testing audible noise levels from outside the venue (at approved locations) before the event and monitoring throughout the event.  Noise levels would be adjusted according to weather conditions and any feedback via the telephone complaints line.  Mr Peirce confirmed that performers would be unlikely to agree to play at lower sound levels than suggested in the event management plan.  

 

In response to questions put to Mr Crier, Mr Cunnah, Mr Peirce and other representatives for the Applicant the following was noted:

·        The steel, solid fencing around the site would be 3.4 metres high.

·        The PA system would face northwards; into the park.  Should there be particular noise problems there were remedial measures which could be taken such as moving the direction of the speakers and/or turning off top speakers on speaker towers. The event organisers would not actively monitor noise from inside residents’ properties but the local authority could do so further to any complaints.

·        The different genres of music could not be detailed at this point in planning for the event but the list of performers would be provided to the responsible authorities in advance of the meeting for their approval.

·        The 200-225 proposed level of security staff was a typical number for the type of event, with lower numbers at the start of the day and building up throughout the day.  Entrances would be fully manned all day and security would cover the outside boundary of the event.  Final figures would be agreed during planning meetings with the responsible authorities.

·        Capacity would not be an issue as the licence, if granted, would allow up to 19,999 but it was anticipated that no more than 15,000 would attend and this could be prescribed as a condition of the licence.

·        Under 14s would not be permitted into the event unless accompanied by an adult and a comprehensive lost children policy would be in place.

·        Any concerns raised by the London Ambulance had been resolved.  The event organisers would ensure a substantial amount of emergency services on-site (including a self contained hospital) so as not to impose on other emergency services.

·        As planning for the event progressed more detail would be submitted to the relevant authorities and there would be a comprehensive publicity programme in place to ensure it was advertised as a family event. 

·        Tickets would be sold in advance with a small number of tickets being available on the day to deter illegal ticket sales.  There would be a limit of 4-6 tickets per person and it was possible to maintain a database of ticket holders.

·        There would be appropriate signage in place warning of no entry after 20:00 hrs. 

·        Stewards would be in place to direct people to transport links after the event.

·        Conditions relating to fireworks would be adhered to if the final event plan included the use of fireworks and local resident would be notified in advance.

·        Concerns relating to sanitation, including the temporary beach, were acknowledged and would be managed.

 

The closing statements of all parties were noted, including the following:

 

MET Police representative, Sgt. Willmott confirmed that the event organisers would manage stewarding to the local tube stations and that the sale of alcohol should cease at 22:00 hrs or one hour before the event closed.  Sgt. Willmott requested clarity from the Committee about condition 7 relating to security and condition 9 relating to no live music being played from the main stage from 20:00 hrs.

 

Derek Pearce, EHO – Noise Team, recognising that sound checks by agreement with the local authority would be required if changes were made to any stage areas or speakers etc but that the Noise Team would be more comfortable with sound checks being conducted at non-sensitive times. Mr Pearce highlighted the original conditions proposed by the noise team included  the time of 22:30 hrs for the end of all amplified music (not including sporting transmissions) and urged the Committee to consider whether two “quiet days” were enough for this 10 day event.

 

Islington Council representatives emphasised that the noise levels and pressure on transport in the area would disturb Islington residents, a 10 day event was excessive and that the complaints telephone line should be facilitated by the local authority at a cost to the event organiser.

 

Mr Borowski drew the Committee’s attention to his letter on pages 195 & 196 of the agenda pack and the potential for noise disturbance during an excessively long event and the security issues.

 

Mr Crier’s closing statement including that event organisers had put in much time and effort and expense into planning a safe event, which would be unique in its nature and would benefit the local community.  The organisers would continue to work with the responsible authorities to ensure concerns were dealt with as part of the more detailed management plan, including security, noise complaints and sound checks and the vetting of performers.  The imposition of condition 9 relating to noise levels would discourage artists from performing at the event and the event would not be able to take place.  The proposed policy of no entry after 20:00 hrs would assist towards dispersal and egress at the end of each day.

 

Clerk’s note: The Committee adjourned at 21:05 hrs for deliberations and returned at 23:10 hrs.

 

The Committee carefully considered the application, the representations by the responsible authorities, and those of the interested parties.  The Committee also took into account the borough’s statement of Licensing Policy, Section 182 guidance and representations made in relation to the Code of Practice on Environmental Noise Control of Concerts, issued by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health.  For clarity, Islington Council was considered to be an interested party. 

 

Where Islington’s representations formed those which the committee would usually expect to hear from a responsible authority, e.g. the proposal of conditions, it was the view of Haringey’s responsible authorities on those representations that were given most weight.

 

It was:

 

RESOLVED that

 

The Committee decided to grant the application on the following conditions:

 

• A 10 day event has been granted; however a three day quieter period (rather than two days as proposed by the Applicant) is imposed.
• All the conditions in the operating schedule and the Events Management Plan submitted are imposed as are those of the authorities in the agenda pack who did not object to the application on the basis that agreement had been reached, for example, those of the fire authority.
• In relation to the representations by the Council’s Emergency Planning and Business Continuity Team, a condition is imposed that the Team must be satisfied, via the Licensing Officer, with the applicants’ preparation for the event, at least 90 days before the event begins.

 

The above applies in so far as they do not contradict the following conditions which take precedence.  For clarification, in accordance with the application, live music on the main stage will cease by 20:00 each day.  In accordance with the representations of the Environmental Response Team, all regulated entertainment will cease by 22:30, accepting televised sports on screens up to 23.00.

 

The draft conditions relating to the police objections and tabled by the applicants on 19^th December 2011 are imposed subject to facilitations:

 

1) A detailed search policy which will include:

i)    A bag search of all persons entering the event and the use of search       wands on all persons entering the event.

ii)   Instigate an appropriate security plan following any recommendations advised by the Police Security Co-ordinator (SeCco) this may include:

·        Perimeter security measures

·        Security search/sweep of venue

·        Search and screening of people and bags as a condition of entry

·        Some form of staff accreditation or assurance

 

2)   The perimeter of the arena should have a double skinned fence line along areas which have proved problematic at previous events.  These areas are on the West side adjacent to the road and the North side adjacent to the children’s play area and dense trees.

 

3)   A full Traffic Management Order and Plan for stewarding and marshalling of patrons egressing from the Park to be written by the Event Organisers and agreed with the Police and Local Authority through the LSAG process.  This shall include agreement for stewarding and traffic marshalling to Finsbury Park and Manor House underground stations.

 

4)   A recordable CCTV system in place which monitors the main and any public entrance to the event, captures everyone entering and leaving, and can be viewed within the Event Control.  The use of CCTV should also be considered by the organisers to be expanded across the arena area.  Also, that adequate signage is in place around the event to advise people that CCTV is in use.  This will both reassure the event goers and help deter any wrongdoers.

 

5)   The Metropolitan Police to have the right to check and, if necessary and appropriate, to veto any performers, D.J.’s or artists who are scheduled to appear at the event.  This will be discussed in advance with the organisers and, where security and sensitivity allows the Metropolitan Police will give reasons for their decision.  The list of performers should be provided no later than 2 weeks before the event starts and where replacements are necessary due to illness or other unforeseen circumstances, details of any replacement performers are to be provided to the Metropolitan Police as soon as reasonably practicable and prior to any marketing communications.

 

6)   The sale of alcohol from the licensed Bars to finish at 22:00hrs.

 

7)   The organisers will be responsible for the cost of any policing that is required within the licensed area of the event.  Officers will be deployed where they are required in a Command role, a liaison role and to prevent and detect crime or to stop any breach of the peace.  The number of officers, and the cost, will be discussed and agreed with the organisers in advance.  This must be agreed by the police no later than 90 days before the event, to be considered complied with.

 

8)   Any use of fireworks must be discussed with, and agreed by, the responsible authorities in advance of them being used.

 

9)   No live music from the main stage may be played after 8pm. No live music from the main stage may be played for more than 3 hours in total on any one day.  In addition, sound checks and rehearsal times are to be agreed with the Environmental Response Team and shall not exceed 90 minutes duration within an agreed 3 hour window on the day before and on days during the event.

 

10)      The Event Organiser shall liaise with the agencies during the pre-event planning process to formulate suitable procedures for dealing with unlicensed ticket and street trading in relation to the event and the strategy for ticket sales and information.  This it to include the park area and the area from the park up to the entrances of Finsbury Park station.

 

11)      The Event Organiser shall liaise with the agencies during the pre-event planning process to detail the ticketing strategy and communication strategy for the event to the satisfaction of the Licensing Authority.

 

12)      No glass receptacles, containers or bottles should be used for the consumption of alcohol or any drink in any public area.  This includes the V.I.P. areas.  If the police deem it necessary during the event, this will also include the artist’s area.  The artists and their entourage will not be able to take glass receptacles out of the artist’s area.

 

13) Adequate signage must be in place inside and outside the event arena advising people of the search policy, and that no glass receptacles, no dogs, no bicycles are allowed inside and also that a robust anti-drugs policy is in place.

 

14)      On page 3, Section 1 (Planning & Management) of the Event Management Plan, the wording to be amended in the first paragraph to read “that at no time is any party put at unnecessary risk due to its actions, or inactions.”

 

15)      There shall be no entry or re-entry to the event site after 20:00hrs unless authorised by an appointed officer of the Metropolitan Police Service. This is to be published in literature and on signage at the applicants’ cost and responsibility in a manner agreed with the police.

 

 

The draft conditions relating to the noise representations by the Environmental Response Service and tabled by the applicants are imposed subject to the following facilitations:

 

1) The Premises Licence holder / appointed noise consultant shall be aware of the guidance contained in the Code of Practice on Environmental Noise Control at Concerts and make use of its recommendations where appropriate to the circumstances of this application.

 

2) Information provided to residents and businesses 2-3 weeks prior to the event must include a synopsis of information about the event based upon the Premises Licence application, information on how it is intended residents will be protected from excessive noise and details of a dedicated and live complaints telephone line.

 

The Licensing team will provide a list of roads specifying the required distribution list. A draft of the letter to residents and businesses must be

provided to the Haringey Licensing team no later than 5 weeks prior to the event.

 

3) Sound checks and rehearsal times to be agreed with the Environmental Health Department through the LSAG process and in agreement with the licensing authority.

 

4) On the day before and on days during the event sound checks and rehearsals shall not exceed 90 minutes duration within an agreed 3 hour window.

 

Times of sound checks and rehearsal to be agreed by the Licensing Authority.

 

5) 12 weeks before the start date of the event the Premises Licence holder must submit a proposed schedule indicating the times where music at “Concert level” from the main stage  will be played and give an indication of the artists booked to performed. 6 weeks before the start date of the event a detailed event schedule must be produced.

 

6) No live music from the main stage may be played after 20:00 and not for more than 3 hours in total on any one day.

 

7) Monitoring of the locations representative of the noise sensitive premises (indicated below) must be undertaken by the appointed noise consultant on behalf of the Premises Licence holder throughout the times where there is regulated entertainment of any kind and readings / noise levels must be stored for subsequent reporting or disclosure to appointed Licensing Authority representatives as they are obtained and upon request at any time.

 

8) Table of Approved locations representative of the noise sensitive premises likely to experience the greatest increase in noise levels as a result of events held in Finsbury Park N4 and permitted noise levels

 

Location	Background Noise Level [Hourly LA90] 19:00-23:00hrs	Notes
Seven Sisters Road, N4	63 dB(A)	Taken approx. mid-way along park length. Very busy main road-traffic predominates.
Adolphus Road, N4	51 dB(A)	Taken mid-way between Gloucester Drive & Alexandra Grove. Runs parallel to Seven Sisters Rd- minimal traffic- shielded by medium rise flats.
Woodstock Road, N4	47 dB(A)	Taken at North bend. Separated from park by busy railway line- rear bedrooms face park.
Stapleton Hall Road, N4	41 dB(A)	Taken 30m East of junction with Quernmore Rd. Residential- minimal traffic-located on a hill overlooking North side of park.
Lothair Road South, N4	46 dB(A)	Taken 30m East of junction with Alroy Rd. Parallel to Endymion Rd.
Rowley Gardens, N4	49 dB(A)	Taken centre of “quadrangle”. On East side of park & in middle of high rise flats.

 

Sound levels at the representative locations

 

Days 1- 4 of the event (3^rd – 6^th August inclusive)

 

Noise limits during the 3 hours of music at “Concert level” before 20.00 from the main stage

 

Sound levels should not exceed the above background by more than 15dB when measured as a 15 minute Leq.

 

Noise limits during the time outside of the 3 hours of music at “Concert level” before 20.00 from the main stage 

 

Sound levels should not exceed the above background by more than 10dB when measured as a 15 minute Leq.

 

Days 5 – 7 of the event (7^th , 8^th and 9^th August inclusive)

 

Sound levels from all music played should not exceed the above background by more than 10dB when measured as a 15 minute Leq. From 22.00 on these three days this will be further reduced towards an acceptable level of 5dB above background when measured as a 15 minute Leq.

 

Days 8-10 of the event (10^th – 12^th August inclusive)

 

Noise limits during the 3 hours of music at “Concert level” before 20.00 from the main stage

 

Sound levels should not exceed the above background by more than 15dB when measured as a 15 minute Leq.

 

Noise limits during the time outside of the 3 hours of music at “Concert level” before 20.00 from the main stage

 

Sound levels should not exceed the above background by more than 10dB when measured as a 15 minute Leq.

 

These noise levels will be used by Licensing Officers and the Premises Licence holder with their acoustic consultant to achieve minimum disturbance of residents.

 

The guidance of the Licensing officer representative will be complied with by the Premises Licence holder.

 

9) Low frequency noise

 

If a noise complaint arises from a location great than 2 km from the venue in the level 63Hz and 125 Hz octave frequency band due to the concert is found to be 80 dB or more (Leq 15 min) this shall be reported to the appointed noise consultant as representative of the Premises Licence holder in regard to noise to enable a reduction in sound level as appropriate towards an acceptable level of 70 dB or less.

 

General

 

10) A Noise Management Plan which is regularly updated in the run up to the event and is a “Live” document will be made available to the Licensing Authority and their representatives.  Although to remain a live document, it must be in a form agreed by the Environmental Response Team no later than 90 days prior to the commencement of the event.

 

An additional condition is imposed, namely that leaflets are produced containing key telephone contacts such as a properly staffed complaints line at the applicants’ cost and responsibility. This shall be agreed with the licensing authority and distributed at least two weeks prior to the event.  This shall include notification of any intended fireworks.

 

A further condition is that the applicants’ noise consultant shall proactively engage with Islington Council regarding background noise.

 

Those conditions submitted by Islington Council, which were expressly accepted orally by the applicants during the reconvened hearing are imposed and are outlined below:

 

The Licensee shall:

 

• Ensure that any promoter, sound system supplier and all individual sound engineers are informed of the sound control limits and that any instructions from the noise control consultant regarding noise levels shall be implemented;
• Provide information to Islington residents as directed by Islington Council prior to the event which shall include details for a dedicated and live complaints line, staffed throughout the event; and
• Submit the full details of the proposed noise control regime to Islington Council at least 2 months before the concert.

 

The appointed noise control consultant shall:

 

• Liaise between all parties including the Licensee, Promoter, sound system supplier, sound engineer and the licensing authority and Islington’s Noise Team on all matters relating to noise control;
• Carry out a survey to determine the background noise levels at locations determined by the Islington representative of the noise sensitive premises likely to experience the highest noise levels as a result of the event.  The information from the survey shall be made available to Islington’s Noise team eight weeks prior to the event;
• Noise predictions shall be carried out to ascertain likely levels at the agreed monitoring.  Locations calculated and based on a front of house level of 90dB(A) with the mixer at 40m distant from the stage, and provided to Islington’s Noise team eight weeks prior to the event.
• During the event, carry out regular noise monitoring at those monitoring locations determined by Islington’s Noise team in order to demonstrate compliance with agreed limits.
• Continuously monitor the noise levels at the concert mixing desk, and advise the sound engineer accordingly to ensure that noise limits are not exceeded.  Islington’s Noise team shall have access to the results of noise monitoring at anytime.

 

Sound Propagation Testing and Rehearsals

 

• To allow prevailing weather conditions to be taken into account, a pre-arranged sound propagation test shall be carried out prior to each concert day to ascertain the maximum level that can prevail at the mixing desk(s) to enable noise limits to be met.  The music used shall be similar in character to that to be produced, and the sound systems shall be configured and operated in a similar manner to that intended, during the event.

 

Post Event

 

• A debrief should be held after the first night to which Islington’s Noise team should be invited.  Further debriefs should be held if valid noise complaints are received.
• The Licensee shall submit noise data from all monitoring positions to Islington’s Noise team as soon as practicable after the event. 

 

The event management plan in complete form including all appendices referred to in the current version submitted must be complete and agreed by the licensing authority and responsible authorities no later than 90 days prior to the event not withstanding the fact that many of the plans, policies, procedures and assessments etc. are to remain as live documents where agreed appropriate to remain so.

 

The application was considered lacking in detail, however, the committee was of the view that it was not outside the norm for applications of this nature and magnitude to be made well in advance of an event.  Conversely, due to its nature, it was considered necessary and proportionate to require a complete and agreed event management plan to be ready 90 days before the event to promote the licensing objectives, in particular those for the prevention of public nuisance and public safety.

 

In deciding whether to grant the application the Committee took into account the impressive credentials of the applicants and those involved in the organisation of the event.

 

In terms of the length of the event the Committee decided that it was appropriate to permit three quieter days on days 5,6 and 7 (which purposely excluded “independence day” on day 4 namely 6^th August 2012).  The Committee took into account the representations of residents and Islington Council and balanced it with the extraordinary nature surrounding the event.  It was considered necessary and proportionate to require an extra quieter day and to require that regulated entertainment cease by 22:30 to allow residents rest from noise due to the consecutive nature and length of the event. 

 

As an informative we expect the applicant to engage with all relevant parties including Islington Council and naturally to attend statutory meetings as and when required by the applicant or the licensing authority.

 

 

 

 

 

The meeting ended at 23:15 hrs.