To move the exclusion of the press and the public
for the following item in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within
the meaning of paragraph x of schedule 12 A to the Local Government Act 1972
(as amended).
The public and the press will be asked to leave the
meeting whilst the item of business is considered.
Minutes:
Proposed by Cllr Fry, seconded by Cllr
Wheller.
Decision: That the press and the public be
excluded for the following item(s) in view of the likely disclosure of exempt
information within the meaning of paragraph 3 of schedule 12 A to the Local
Government Act 1972 (as amended).
The Sub-Committee retired to make their decision.
Decision: To
GRANT a Premises Licence for the area within the dashed blue line on the
revised application plan dated 19/04/21 titled ‘Parnham House Masterplan
101_A_MP_1.1250 Rev A’ submitted to the hearing on 8 September 2021 and
attached to the Notification of Determination, with the mandatory conditions
and the conditions consistent with the Operating
Schedule as amended by the Sub-Committee as set out in the Notification of
Determination, to permit the following:
On and off sales of alcohol
Every Day 24 hours
Films, Live Music, Recorded Music, dance
and any similar entertainment (indoors) (‘Indoors’ does not include a marquee or other structure
where doors and windows cannot be closed to prevent noise escape)
Thursday to Saturday 08:00 to 02:00
Sunday to Wednesday 08:00 to 00:00
Films, Live Music, Recorded Music, dance and
any similar entertainment (outdoors)
Every Day 08:00 to 23:00
10 days per year 08:00 to 01:00
Plays, Boxing and Wrestling (indoors) and
Indoor Sports
Thursday to Saturday 10:00 to 01:00
Sunday to Wednesday 10:00 to 00:00
Plays, Boxing and Wrestling (outdoors)
Every Day 10:00 to 23:00
10 days per year 10:00 to 01:00
Late-Night Refreshment (indoors and
outdoors)
Every Day 23:00 to 05:00
Reasons for the Decision:
The Sub-Committee carefully considered all the documents presented to it
and the oral and written representations made by the parties. They had
regard to the four Licensing Objectives, the Section 182 Statutory Guidance,
and the Dorset Council Statement of Licensing Policy.
This application was unusual in that it related to a wide scope of
potential licensable activities over a very large site and it had attracted a
large number of representations covering a range of issues. At the hearing the
Sub-Committee was addressed by the applicant’s representatives and a
significant number of members of the public and a Councillor. During the course
of the hearing it became clear that it was the extent of the licence applied
for which had particularly concerned local people. There was great support for
the restoration of Parnham House, but there was an underlying fear that if the
licence was granted as applied for, it was likely that there would be a large
number of events over a vast area, attended by substantial numbers of people,
with the real risk of considerable noise nuisance and disturbance to local
people.
The applicant’s representatives explained the owner’s plans for the site
and his wish to work in harmony the local community, whilst also running a business
to finance the restoration of the listed building. On the second day of the
hearing the applicant submitted a revised application plan reducing the
licensable area considerably.
The Sub-Committee was very grateful for the positive approach shown by all
the parties who took part in the process. The representations submitted were
comprehensive and constructive and it was plain to the Sub-Committee that all
parties were very keen to see Parnham House restored appropriately. It was also
helpful that during the hearing the applicant submitted a revised plan,
reducing the area to be licensed, to take account of some of the concerns
raised by the local residents. The Sub-Committee recognised that this went some
way to allay the fears of residents but noted that concerns remained about
noise. When representations are received in connection with a premises licence
application, the role of the Sub-Committee is to try to strike a balance
between what has been applied for and the concerns raised in the representations,
but at all times the paramount consideration is the promotion of the four
licensing objectives. The Sub-Committee wanted to ensure that the undertakings
made during the hearing were reflected in the conditions in a way that both
allowed some flexibility for the estate to grow whilst ensuring that any
protections to the community were retained, they welcomed the submission of the
Core Noise Management Strategy by the applicant and were reassured by the
Environmental Protection Team Leaders assurance that it was satisfactory.
The Sub-Committee reviewed all the representations made by the parties
before coming to a decision and concluded that it was appropriate to grant a
Premises Licence for the area on the revised plan, outlined with a dashed blue
line, together with the mandatory conditions and amended conditions from the
Operating Schedule, to promote the licensing objectives. In making this
decision the Sub-Committee recognised the relevant concerns of those people who
had made representations particularly in relation to noise and sought to
address the issues raised through the application of conditions, which it
considered to be proportionate and relevant to this site.
The Sub-Committee agreed with the sentiments expressed at the hearing
that communication was key, and it very much hoped that the owner would provide
a forum to facilitate discussions between his team and people living
locally. The plans for the site could
represent an interesting and exciting new phase for the estate, which would enable
the restoration of the listed building and it would be important to ensure that
local people were consulted as part of the process. They wanted the licence to
allow for controlled room for growth and encourage an atmosphere of mutual
trust and communication.