Agenda item

An application has been made for a variation of a premises licence for WDPL0666, Bredy Farm, Burton Bradstock. The application has been out to public consultation and as objections have been received a Licensing Sub-Committee must consider the application and representations at a public hearing.  

The Senior Licensing Officer introduced the item to the Sub-Committee explaining that an application had been made to vary the premises licence for Bredy farm in Burton Bradstock. The application sought to amend the hours during which the supply of alcohol, on and off the premises was licenced. The present licence permitted the supply of alcohol, on and off premises, from Monday to Sunday between the hours of 09:00-02:00 The applicant requested to amend the licence so that the supply of alcohol would be licenced on and off the premises from Monday to Wednesday between the hours of 09:00 to 00:00 and from Thursday to Sunday between the hours of 09:00 to 00:00 and from Thursday to Sunday between the hours of 09:00-04:00. 

The Senior Licensing Officer told the Sub-Committee that all Responsible Authorities had been consulted on the application. The Local Planning Auhtority had highlighted that in 2024, a planning application to vary the operating hours of the premises under the conditions of the current planning permission had been refused on the basis of representations received from Environmental Protection Officers, who had noted complaints of noise nuisance from neighbouring landowners.  Environmental Protection did not make any representations in respect of this application which is to vary the times for alcohol sales only and which proposes no changes to the licensed hours for regulated entertainment. There were no other representations received from any of the other Responsible Authorities and no representatives from Responsible Authorities attended the hearing.  

The Senior Licensing Officer explained that the application was referred to the Sub-Committee for determination because of representations made to the Licensing Authority as part of the public consultation process.  

The Applicant, Mr Harris attended the hearing accompanied by Mr Mark Burton. Mr Harris presented his case and informed the Sub-Committee that he wanted to extend the hours to allow customers the option of a nightcap after the recorded music finished playing at 02:00. He added that extending the hours for the sale of alcohol for a further 2 hours from Thursday to Sunday would create a better customer experience. No glassware would be used in the bar with all drinks served in plastic cups and guests could take their drinks back to their campsite. He confirmed that his phone number would be provided to guests, neighbouring landowners and was available on the business’s website. In response to questions, he informed that on average no more than 12 people from the village and surrounding area visited the premises. Mr Burton stated that many of the guests staying at the campsite travelled long distances and some did not arrive later in the day and extending the hours would provide guests with a longer period to enjoy the facilities.  

Mr Bailey who lives close to the farm, addressed the Sub-Committee. Mr Bailey and his wife had made complaints to Environmental Protection about noise nuisance for many years and had been logging issues and monitoring noise levels. He informed that customers from Bredy Farm often stray onto his land with customers being found in farm buildings and on the drive of the farmhouse. Mr Bailey also routinely finds litter that has been thrown by customers who are walking to and from the campsite and/or village from the bar.  He raised concerns over the noise of the customers talking and shouting and that the hours permitted under the current licence were not appropriate and extending the hours would make issues worse.  

Mr Titley from Gaston Copse Holiday Park addressed the Sub-Committee. He raised concerns that section M of the application form had not been completed and raised concerns over noise nuisance. He explained that the noise impacted him and his guests at the campsite and extending these hours would exacerbate the issues.  

Mr Havlock Allen also raised several concerns regarding the proposed variation. Mr Havlock Allen believed that allowing the bar to remain open until 04:00 would be excessive. Customers did not need a further two hours of drinking time after the Regulated Entertainment ended at 02:00. He noted that there was no other premises in the area that opened this late and suggested that allowing the variation could make Bredy Farm a destination for late night drinking. Mr Haylock Allen argued that such late hours were inappropriate for a rural location within the Dorset National Landscape, where ambient noise was minimal, meaning that noise from customers was clearly audible and a nuisance to neighbouring landowners. He also questioned the rationale behind the application suggesting that it would not be financially sensible to stay open till 04:00 for just a few campers and implied that the business must anticipate more significant patronage either from within the campsite or the surrounding area.  

All parties were given the opportunity to have their say and sum up. 

The Sub-Committee retired to make its decision.  

Decision:  

To REFUSE the application to vary the Premise Licence.