Also present:     Mr. M. Khan                - Applicant

                            Mr. H. Peyrel               - Applicant

                            Mrs. A. Peyrel             - Applicant

                            Mr. D Goodall              - Objector (resident)

                            Ms. C. Goodall            - Objector (resident)

                       Cllr M. Short                - Objector (Member of Sevenoaks Town Council)

                       Cllr Mrs B. Ayres        - Sevenoaks District Council (Observer)

                       Cllr L. Ayres                - Sevenoaks District Council (Observer)

                       Mr M. Penn-Hughes  - Sevenoaks District Council (Observer)

                            Mrs. C. Perry               - Licensing Officer

                            Mr. A. Stanfield           - Legal Services Manager

                            Mr. N. Chapman         - Environmental Protection Officer

                            Mr. D. Lynch               - Democratic Services Officer

Resolved:      That Cllr. Pett be appointed Chairman of the meeting.

Cllr Mrs. Parkin declared a personal interest as a trustee of Sevenoaks and District Age UK and CHIPS in respect of letters from these organisations tabled by applicants at the meeting.

Would Members please note that any further correspondence in relation to this application will be circulated before the meeting or tabled at the meeting.

The Hearing gave consideration to a report by the Community and Planning Services Director giving details of an application under the Licensing Act 2003 for a premises licence from El Matador Restaurant, 49 London Road, Sevenoaks TN13 1AR. It was noted that objections had been received and that accordingly the application had been referred to the Sub-Committee for determination.

The Chairman agreed to the applicants tabling a written statement. The Chairman suspended the Hearing at 10.15 a.m. to enable the meeting to read the statement.  The Chairman re-commenced the hearing at 10.25 a.m..

The Hearing heard from the applicants who stated that the written statement was a compromise proposal following consultation with local residents and the Environmental Protection Officer, in particular to address the issue of noise in Lime Tree Walk. The applicants also accepted the points made by Sevenoaks Town Council with the exception of point ii. 

The Hearing heard from the objectors who raised the concerns of residents and Sevenoaks Town Council, in particular the issues of noise from events.

The Hearing heard from the Environmental Protection Officer who raised concerns regarding noise breakout from the premises and the area to be used for smoking.

At 11.05 a.m. the Hearing Members withdrew to consider the issues raised.

At 11.29 a.m. the Hearing Members returned to the Council Chamber.

It was unanimously,

Resolved:      That the Premises Licence in respect of El Matador, 49 London Road, Sevenoaks TN13 1AR subject to the conditions contained in the licence attached as an appendix to these minutes, be granted.