Agenda and draft minutes

Resolved

That Councillor Russell be elected Chairman for the meeting.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 24 July 2019.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 1 August, 2019 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

There were no declarations of interest.

4.1   Introductions

The Chairman introduced the Members of the Sub Committee, Legal Adviser,

Licensing Officer, Democratic Services Officer and explained their respective

roles.

The Chairman advised that the Sub Committee would take into account the

merits of the application against the four licensing objectives: the prevention

of crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance and the

protection of children from harm, in addition to the Home Office Guidance and

the Council’s Licensing Policy.

4.2   Procedure to be followed

The Legal Adviser referred to the procedure to be followed for the Hearing and those present wishing to make verbal submissions. There had been no requests from any other party to speak at the hearing. The procedure was as previously circulated to all interested parties with the Notice of Hearing. All parties had been sent an agenda.

4.3  The Council’s Licensing Officer’s report

Consideration was given to an application for a new premise licence at Bremridge Farm, Ashburton for the provision of regulated entertainment to include the playing of live and recorded music, and performance of dance, the retail sale of alcohol and late night refreshment at Bremridge Farm, Ashburton. The hours sought are set out in the report circulated with the agenda, and as amended by the circulated revised operating schedule. A map detailing a revised outside area in the garden rather than at the Lodge, and a review of representations were also circulated at the Hearing.

The Council has received 18 letters of objection, objecting to the application on the grounds of public nuisance, and in particular noise from music being clearly audible from neighbouring dwellings; disturbance from customers in the outside smoking area throughout the evening, and when leaving the premises; vehicle doors closing, and the noise from vehicle tyres along the unmade track. The Environmental Health Officer has also objected on the grounds of public nuisance.  

4.4  Address by interested parties

4.4.1  Objectors representatives

The objectors’ representatives submitted that the residents are not a community wishing to prevent the use of the premises, but it was more a case of how the site is managed. The application is for events with up to 120 seated theatre style and 200 people standing for concerts. The area is rural, very quiet with any noise travelling along the valley. Birds can clearly be heard, as can neighbours conversations. Events at the premises will create a noise nuisance, which will detrimentally affect the character of the area and residents’ quality of life. The approval of the external area would result in greater noise nuisance. The Parish Meeting has objected to the application because it is at odds with the Licensing objectives. The revised operating schedule provides a worse situation for residents because it introduces an outside smoking area. Council officers and Ward Members have raised concerns.  There is no limit offered on the number of events. Residents have chosen to live in the area for the peace and tranquillity and for health reasons. No specialist sound insulation has been  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.