(Penshurst, Fordcombe & Chiddingstone)

The Chairman welcomed everyone back to the adjourned meeting.  He introduced Cllr. Clark who was substituting for Cllr. Parkin who had sent her apologies.  It was also noted that the Applicant had a different representative and the original one sent his apologies.

The Hearing gave consideration to a report by the Chief Officer Environmental and Operational Services giving details of an application for a new premises licence under the Licensing Act 2003. It was noted that objections had been received and that accordingly the application had been referred to the Sub-Committee for determination.

The Hearing heard from the Applicant’s representative, he drew attention to the information and suggested operating procedure included within the bundle they had previously submitted.  He then referred to suggested conditions submitted to him by the Environment Health representatives. 

The Sub Committee agreed to accept the tabled information from the Council Environmental Health Team.  There was a short adjournment for the clerk to photocopy the papers.

Meeting adjourned 10.41 am. 

Meeting reconvened 10.44 am.

The Applicant’s representative queried condition 7 of the submitted paper, stating it was more of a planning issue, and with regard to condition 9 a directional speaker and noise limiter had already been installed with success though the skylights were a weakness and could be improved over time as time and finances allowed, otherwise he had no objections to the suggested amendments.

He stated that whatever mistakes had been made earlier on there had been a good attempt to liaise with local residents and sincerely apologised on behalf of his client for any disruption caused to residents living nearby.  Temporary Event Notices (TENs) had been use to test the market and there had been teething problems such as noise outbreak.

The meeting also heard from the Applicant’s acoustician who explained how the new system worked and how he believed it had limited noise outbreak. A picture to clarify what was being described was tabled.

The Sub Committee and objectors took the opportunity to ask questions.  In response to questions the Applicant’s representative agreed that with regards to the new suggested condition 1, the fitting of self-closers would not be practical.  Representatives from Environmental Health agreed that the suggested condition 7 may not be necessary as it would be met by the planning condition.  An objector and local resident advised that the event held the previous weekend had not caused noise nuisance; commented that a number of apologies had been received now; thought that a security checklist of those present would be advisable; and that there were still highways issues which she understood were planning issues and was aware to contact the Enforcement section for breaches.

The Applicant’s representative summed up by saying that they accepted the new suggested conditions from Environmental Health bar the last sentence of condition one and condition 7.

At 11.17 a.m. the Hearing Members withdrew to consider the issues raised accompanied by the Council’s Legal Advisor and Clerk to the Hearing for the purpose of providing advice only.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.