Agenda item

An application has been made for a new premises licence for Rest Escapes Ltd, Meadow View, Wigbeth, Wimborne, BH21 7JH. The application has been out to public consultation.  Representations have been received. A Licensing Sub-Committee must therefore consider the application and representations at a public hearing.

The Senior Licensing Officer introduced the application which was for plays indoors from Monday to Sunday between 9:00 and 23:00, live music indoors from Friday to Sunday between 16:00 and 19:00, and alcohol sales from Monday to Sunday between 09:00 and 23:00. One relevant representation was made by a member of the public on the licensing objective of Prevention of Public Nuisance based on noise nuisance from people and music from the premises. An email had been sent by Licensing to the member of the public on behalf of the applicant, addressing the issues raised. The member of the public responded that their concerns had not been alleviated.

The applicant provided a summary of the purpose of the barn. The site was used as a platform to promote local businesses. The focus of the business was around school holidays and would extend hours during that time. The occupancy of the sight would have been varied. There were opportunities for private functions but was not the focus of the business. The applicant wanted to share a calendar with the objector well in advance and was happy to comply with the noise levels suggested by the council including the implementation of a decibel monitor. The applicant was committed to lights off at 21:00 and suggested that seating could be placed down the left-hand side of the barn during warmer months.

In response to questions from the councillors, the applicant commented that they had not received any other complaints, and that they can be contacted through phone or email and are on site 24/7. There was discussion about a proposal to change the entrance of the barn and whether there was any insulation, but the applicant needed to explore this with the owner of the building and could not agree to any changes at that moment. It was confirmed that the barn was only for guests of the park and that the max capacity was no more than 40.

The objector made his representation and explained that the noise from the barn was amplified making the sound travel further. There had been a video sent in as evidence of this. The objector explained that they were the only neighbour and so it was unlikely anyone else was concerned by this, however as the popularity of the site grew the disturbance could have increased.

A short adjournment was taken for the councillors to view the video evidence from the objector.

There was a discussion around how to alleviate the concerns such as closing the barn doors and creating an alternative entrance to prevent noise and light pollution and having an alternative seating area.

Decision:

To GRANT the Premises Licence with the usual mandatory conditions, conditions consistent with the Operating Schedule and the conditions added by the Sub-Committee set out below.

Conditions Added by the Sub-Committee:

-       A direct telephone number and email address for the manager of the premises shall be publicly available at all times the premises is open.

-       The Premises License Holder shall ensure that at least 14 days written notice of all events at the Premises is given to the occupier of the residential property nearest to the Premises; The Chase, Wigbeth, Dorset

-       A record of all complaints received about the Premises shall be kept in a book for that purpose, such a book shall be completed immediately after the complaint detailing the time and nature of the complaint. Such book shall be made available at all times upon request to an authorised officer of the Licensing Authority or the Police

-       All external lighting except lighting reasonably required for safety or security shall be switched of after 2100 hours.

-       There must be no outdoor seating forward of the front elevation (ie the elevation with the main roller doors) of the Premises

-       A clear notice shall be displayed at every exit from the premises to instruct customers to respect the needs of local residents and leave the premises and the area quietly.

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