The Chairman welcomed everyone to the Hearing.

The Hearing gave consideration to the report by the Senior Licensing Officer giving details of an application for a new premises license for Lockskinners Farm. She provided a brief overview of the application, explaining that during the consultation period 36 representations had been received from local residents and the Parish Council.

The Applicant addressed the Hearing, setting out her experience within the Hospitality industry and reasons as to why she was bringing this application forward. She advised that due to Covid, the old experience of sitting in a pub was not to everyone’s comfort and by having an outside area licensed would allow more flexibility.  The events would not be large scale and would be family friendly on a pre-booking basis only. The applicant address the concerns raised by some of the objectors.

In response to questions from the Hearing Panel, the Applicant advised that there were pedestrian and cycle paths within Lockskinner, but that there would be no alcohol on sale for those using those paths, unless it was a pre-booked event. There were 11 Public Houses within walking distance of the site and this was not a way of picking up passing trade. Numbers would remain low, of approximately 25 people.

The Hearing heard from some of the respondents, who expressed concerns with  the number of people who could use the site at one time, noise, access, and the vastness of the licence including wooded areas.

In response to the concerns raised the Applicant advised that the one mobile bar would not be suitable enough to accommodate large numbers and that each location’s use within the site would be pre-planned and appropriate for its uses. It was not intended to be used for weddings.

The Council’s Legal Advisor advised the Hearing that under the act amplified music at events up to 500 people was no longer regulated and the application did not request for the playing of recorded music so was not something that should come into the panel’s considerations.

At 11.15am 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.

At 11.40am the Hearing Members, Council’s Legal Advisor and Clerk to Hearing returned to the Chamber.

On returning to the Chamber, the Hearing heard from the Applicant who had a revised map with an amended map location which reduced the area that could be licenced. Further questioning took place between the Committee Members and respondents.

At 11.43am the Hearing Members withdrew to consider the additional information accompanied by the Council’s Legal Advisor and Clerk to the Hearing for the purpose of providing advice only.

At 11.50am the Hearing Members, Council’s Legal Advisor and Clerk to Hearing returned to the Chamber.

The Chairman informed the Hearing that the Sub-Committee had had regard to the representations made by the Applicant and interested parties, the Licensing objectives, the Statutory Guidance issued under Section 182 of the Act and the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy and was therefore granting the application subject to the revised map and a full decision noticed would be issued within 5 working days to all interested parties.

He also informed the Hearing that highways was primarily for planning or the highways authority and therefore outside of the remit of the Licensing regime. The Hearing were also advised that a review could be sought with evidence should there be a breach of the Licence.

Resolved: That the Premises Licence in respect of Lockskinners Farm, Lockskinners, Chiddingstone, Kent TN8 7NA, subject to the revised map and mandatory conditions contained in the notice of determination to follow within 5 working days, be granted.