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

(Cllr Esler in the Chair)

There were none.

(Ash and New Ash Green, Fawkham and West Kingsdown and Hartley and Hodsoll Street)

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

The Hearing gave consideration to the report by the Senior Licensing Officer giving details of an application for a new premises license for Redlibbets Golf Club. She provided a brief overview of the application, explaining that during the consultation period 15 representations had been received from local residents. She also brought to the attention of the Hearing the supplementary agenda which revised some of the proposals with respect to allowing live music both indoors and outdoors, recorded music and anything similar to live music, recorded music or performance of dance. There were also revised location plans.

The Applicant advised that following the discussions with Environmental Protection, he had reviewed and wished to reduce the timings for the sale of alcohol, and advised that it was their intention to work with the local community. The revised plan indicated where the music would take place outside and not go on late into the night. The golf course would remain open to non-members on a pay and play basis.

The Legal Advisor reminded the Hearing that following the Live Music Act, as long as there was an alcohol licence in place, then the playing of live and recorded music was permitted until 11pm as long as there were limits to the number of people present. He also advised that the Hearing could consider whether the condition as agreed by the Applicant and Environmental Protection to close windows and doors, would be more appropriately applied to all activities taking place indoors rather than just the playing of live or recorded music.

The Applicant advised that in regards to alcohol timings they would be happy to change the application to reflect: Monday to Thursday 10am to 12am, Friday to Saturday 10am to 1am and Sunday 10am to 11.30pm.

Residents present took the opportunity to ask questions of the applicant, expressing their concerns at the alcohol licence going on too late. The Environmental Protection Officer advised that she had agreed with the Applicant what would be appropriate, following the licence that was already in place. She advised that there had been no substantial complaints on record regarding noise from the club house.

The Chairman requested clarification of Section H of the licensable activities, and whether this was to be amended to the same hours as agreed with Environmental Protection. The Applicant confirmed it was.

The Hearing heard from the residents present who expressed their concerns with the number of people who were drunk and disorderly leaving the golf club late at night and the disturbance this caused, as well as the additional traffic noise. The Chairman advised that although traffic noise was not a licensable activity, she requested that the Applicant may be minded to include additional signage at strategic points in the car park and at the club exit requesting Members and guests to be considerate of neighbouring residents when leaving. The Applicant advised that this would be something they could include in their policies and offered to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.