Agenda item

An application has been made for a new premises licence for Parnham House in Beaminster. The application has been out to public consultation and has attracted relevant representations. A Licensing Sub-Committee must consider the application and representations at a public hearing. 

 

The Licencing Team Leader introduced the application for a new premises licence for Parnham House in Beaminster. Parnham House would be used for a wide variety of events and tourism accommodation, including a hotel. The Planning process would take full account of the concerns raised about the AONB and Rights of Way. The Sub-Committee had to consider what would be proportionate and appropriate in promoting the licencing objectives. If the premises licence was granted, conditions must be enforceable and clear to all parties. All parties were reminded of the licencing objectives.

 

Members’ attention was drawn to a typographical error in the report where the recommendation was incorrectly numbered as paragraph 13. The correct paragraph number was 16.

 

Several reports were received of Notices not being correctly advertised. Officers recommended that the application should proceed and referred to a recent High Court decision. Ms Le Fevre, the applicant’s Barrister, responded to the advertisement issue and stated that the application had been widely publicised, and the Notice period had been extended twice. An unprecedented number of representations had been received, indicating that the purpose of the Notice period had been met.

 

Ms Le Fevre was in attendance with the proposed designated premises supervisor, Mr Caton. Ms Le Fevre presented their application for the premises licence. If the licence was granted, the full licence would not be used immediately. The maximum occupancy would be 130 people staying at the grounds between Thursday and Sunday. A Noise Management Strategy had been created for the walled garden area. Any individual event with more than 500 people would require a full Event Management Plan which incorporated a Traffic Management Plan.

 

Members of the Sub-Committee asked questions of the applicants. The questions related to:

 

·       Noise and amplified music.

·       The type of events.

·       Light pollution.

·       Events which could lead to community concern

·       Managing rights of way and protecting children from harm.

·       Neighbouring residential properties.

 

The applicants responded to the questions and advised that:

 

Events would be limited to 10-15 days per year, with most evenings from Thursday to Sunday having dinners and light entertainment.

There could be private events for family, such as Christmas, as well as occasional events during the summer holidays for families and children.

A wide area is being applied for so guests could be entertained in a variety of spaces, such as by the lake. There would be a maximum of 2-3 larger events per year and these would be community based. Larger events would have all necessary planning. A sample event would take place for a professional to monitor noise. Noise would be monitored and recorded which would be available for the community to see. Noise limiters would be used on equipment. A phone number would be available for local residents to use. They did not want to upset the local community and wanted to create a positive addition to the area.

 

Members of the public who had made a representation were asked in turn to ask questions of the applicant.

 

During the questions of the applicant, the meeting adjourned for a lunch break at 12.57 until 14.00.

 

Questions related to:

 

• Why a licence is being applied for
• The conditions relating to the alcohol licence
• The proposed areas for licensable activities
• Noise carrying a long way
• The management of visitor numbers and areas of entertainment and alcohol sales
• The bridleway
• Categories of events and projected numbers on site

 

Applicants responded and advised that:

 

A licence was needed because licensable activities would be provided.

The river could be the boundary line for all entertainment activities. 

The blue line on the site map could align with the red alcohol licensing line. There should be no noise after 11pm on most occasions.

The applicants would be prepared to measure noise levels at nearby properties.

The venue was not to be open to the public, only for attendees staying at the venue or reservations on a managed basis. 

The bridleway would sit outside the licensed area. 

It was envisaged that there would be a maximum of 130 guests on the estate at any time i.e. for a wedding, unless for an organised event such as a Food Festival.  In most cases the applicant was not wanting to have in excess of 130 people but some flexibility on numbers was necessary.  There was also a lot of work to be done on the estate to bring it back to life before any events were held.

 

The Environmental Protection Team Leader was in attendance and the sub-committee and those who had made representation were given the opportunity to ask questions relating to environmental health aspects such as noise levels.

 

Following the opportunity for all parties to ask questions of each other, those who had made representation were invited to address the sub-committee to put forward any additional points of view. The sub-committee, Licensing Team Leader and the Applicant were given the opportunity to put forward any questions to each speaker following their address.

 

Cllr Knox, Ward Member for Beaminster was also in attendance to represent her constituents.  She thanked everyone present for their time and input and felt that most issues had been covered.  She wanted to welcome the local employment opportunities, events for young people and schools.  She urged the sub-committee not to over-regulate and to allow for flexibility, trust and communication within the community to in order to provide prosperity and enjoyment of the estate.  Cllr Knox appreciated the opportunity that had been given to the community to attend and take part in the committee meeting

 

After all representations had been heard, the meeting was adjourned at 16.39 until 10.00 on Wednesday, 8 September.

 

Upon reconvening on 8 September, Cllr Wheller read a statement regarding some comments made in the meeting on the previous day.

 

Whilst the meeting was adjourned, a revised masterplan titled ‘Parnham House Masterplan 101_A_MP_1.1250 Rev A’ was submitted to the Sub-Committee. This masterplan showed a revised boundary for amplified music and licensable activities.

 

All parties were given the opportunity to sum up their case.

 

The Senior Lawyer – Regulatory confirmed that all relevant points had been covered appropriately.

 

The decision would be made within 5 working days. All parties had the right to appeal the decision to the Weymouth Magistrates Court within 21 days of receipt of the written notification of determination.