Agenda item

Application for a Time limited Premises Licence under the Licensing Act 2003 from Innocent Drinks Ltd for St Clere Estate Pinetum St Clere Estate St Clere Kemsing Kent TN15 6NL

(Kemsing)

Minutes:

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

 

As the objector had indicated he would not be attending, the Chairman requested that the applicants address all of the issues raised by the objector in their address. 

 

The Hearing heard from the applicants who gave a brief overview of the type of event that was proposed.  It was a free event for over 18s only and not pitched as a music festival per se but rather an event where people could switch off from their busy lives with inspirational speakers, yoga and an outdoor spa as well as music.  A second version of the event safety plan had been submitted of which the applicants highlighted their plans.  If the licensing application were successful there was to be a Safety Advisory Group meeting taking place that week. 

 

With reference to the objector’s concerns these seemed to be centred on crime and disorder and public nuisance.  The concerns around crime and disorder seemed to be with the event becoming larger than intended with unauthorised attendance and the idea of a ‘rave.’    It had been the intention to keep the location secret until a week before the event, and this was still the case with regards to those who had applied for the tickets, however due to legislative requirements concerning the licensing application etc the local area were now aware of the event, however it was still not being advertised and was not a nationally known event.  It was a rural location surrounded by farm and woodland and serviced by narrow country lanes.  Crowd management/security teams would be in place.  It was not possible to perimeter fence the whole site but there would be physical barriers at access points and patrols.  All patrons would wear wristbands that would break if tampered with. 

 

The public nuisance concerns expressed by the objector seemed to be around traffic, noise and clearance and restitution of the site.  To this the applicants advised that a traffic management plan had been devised along with the same contractors used by Glastonbury Festival.  Public transport would be advertised as the preferred option with a free shuttle bus from Borough Green and Wrotham Rail Station.  Car parking would be provided at a high fee and at a higher rate if not bought in advance.  It was expected that ticket holder would stay for the whole event so there would be minimal traffic movement other than Saturday morning, Sunday evening and Monday morning.  There would also be a one way system introduced to ensure free flow in the narrow lanes.  At the moment live event data was indicating 4% intended to travel by car.  Private sound systems would be prohibited on site and the one music tent would adhere to Noice Council Code of Practice accepted levels for rural venues.  A waste management plan had been agreed with a contractor.   It was not anticipated that there would be any damage but if there were it would be addressed.  It was believed that the plans in place were suitable and proportionate and the fears were based on a hypothetical larger event.

 

In response to questions the applicants advised that it had been their intention to liaise and advise local residents themselves directly, a local paper had been requested and had agreed not to state the location of the event however they did which was how residents had ended up reading about it before they had approached them.  They had been liaising with anyone who contacted them with regards to the licensing notice.  The applicant proposed that it may be prudent to liaise with the paper and dispel the rumour that the event was a ‘rave.’   With regards to noise levels from the music tent there would be inspirational talks being held only 50/60m away so it would not be in the event’s own interests to have it too loud.  There would be natural breaks I in sound during band changeovers but the programme would run from midday to 0200 hours.  There would be a proactive sound check on the Friday and 2/3 each event day. There would be no reactive testing unless a complaint was received for which there would be a hotline provided to residents.  The applicants were happy to commit to set timings for the sound checks. 

 

At 11.15 am the Hearing Members withdrew to consider the issues raised, with the Council’s Legal Advisor and Democratic Services Officer in attendance.

At 11.37 am the Hearing Members, Council’s Legal Advisor and Democratic Services Officer returned to the Council Chamber.

The Chairman sought clarification that this was a time limited application for the period 23 to 25 May 2015, and asked why a licence had not been sought for the Monday.  The applicants confirmed that it was a time limited application and that it was not intended to hold any licensable activities on the Monday.

The Panel conferred and the Chairman informed the Hearing that the Sub-Committee had had regard to the representations made by the Applicant and interested parties and the Licensing Act 2003, Secretary of State's Amended Guidance issued under Section 182 of the Act and the Council's Statement of Licensing Policy under the Licensing Act 2003 and that it was satisfied that granting the application as applied for subject to two additional conditions in relation to time specified sound checks and alcohol sold to those with wristbands only, would be in accordance with the relevant licensing objectives.

It was therefore unanimously,

 

Resolved: That a Premises Licence in respect of St Clere Estate, Pinetum, St Clere Estate, St Clere, Kemsing, Kent TN15 6NL be granted subject to mandatory conditions, and amendments to licensable activities, operating schedule and additional conditions contained in the notice of determination attached as an appendix to these minutes, be granted.

 

Supporting documents:

 

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