Agenda item

Those present at the hearing:

Declarations of Interest

Councillor Jose Hales declared a non-pecuniary interest as he was a community licence holder with Melbourn Community Hub.

The application

The application to grant a Premises Licence for TL44498 62106 was received by the licensing department on the 23 September 2019. The requirements for advertising and displaying relevant notices were carried out in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003.

The application is for the Grant of a new Premises Licence.

The requested days and times for opening, Supply of Alcohol, Provision of Films, Provision of Live Music Recorded Music and Provision of Performance of Dance applied for are as follows:

Background

The premise TL44498 62106 is a green field sited on Holiday Inn Cambridge, Lake View, Bridge Road, Impington, CB24 9PH. The entrance of which is off Bridge Road.

The purpose of this licence is to hold eight events at the premises on a Friday or Saturday with a condition of only one event to be held on a Thursday during a calendar year.

As required by the Licensing Act, the application was sent to all responsible authorities for consultation as part of the licensing application process.  No representations were received from the responsible authorities.

Photographs of the Blue Notice displayed were received and the Notice was advertised in the Cambridge Evening News.

On the 18^th October 2019 a memo was sent to the Licensing department from Environmental Health, with a request for changes to the application and additional conditions to be added to the licence when issued. 

As part of the application, the applicant was made aware of the representations that were received.

Relevant representations

No representations were received from the responsible authorities, however representations were made by interested parties. A total of 19 representations were received during the consultation period, which related primarily to Public Nuisance.

On 22 October 2019, representees were responded to with details of the conditions that would apply to the premises licence if granted, as recommended by the Responsible Authorities – Environmental Health and Licensing.

Observations:

The panel heard representations from the applicant and from residents of neighbouring properties, as well as the local Member representing Histon and Impington.

The applicant gave an overview of the type of events this application related to. The applicant set out the measures that had been put in place in the design of the site to reduce the impact, particularly of noise, to neighbouring residents and mitigate against this impact.  The applicant emphasised that he wanted to work with local residents to reduce the impact of any events on them.

The main concern of the representees was nuisance caused to them by noise from music and the lateness of the events, particularly of the event that took place on a Thursday evening during school term.

The ensuing discussion centred on the potential level of public nuisance caused by noise to local residents and the measures that could be put in place to mitigate against this. The applicant indicated a willingness to work with local residents, including those making representations and indicated the areas in which he would be prepared to be flexible. He confirmed that a sound engineer would be on site for the duration of the events to ensure that noise levels were not breached. Assurance was provided that a condition of contract for performers, was absolute compliance with the requirements of the event manager and sound engineer.

An Environmental Health Officer would also be on site for the duration of the first event.

The decision

Taking all the above into account, the Sub-Committee APPROVED the application for a premises licence subject to the following conditions, which are in addition to the conditions set out in Appendix E of the Licensing Officer’s report:

In addition to the above:

• Music to be reduced incrementally in volume and base level from 11pm.
• Provision of an appropriate sound barrier running along the residents’ side of the site.
• Sound engineer to provide up to date decibel readings, to be taken at 23:00 and midnight the day before the event. The parameters for the test are to be the same as the test referred to at the licensing hearing (100db baseline). These should be provided to the Council’s Licensing Officers prior to the event.
• A helpline number to be provided to Histon and Impington Parish Council and Orchard Park Community Council.
• A visible sign to be provided at the entrance gate showing the helpline number.

All parties may apply for a review of the Licence on a ground relating to one or more of the licensing objectives should there be any relevant issues arising from the operation of the Licence at any stage after the date of this decision notice.  The Sub-Committee hopes that local residents will feel able to bring any future concerns directly to the attention of the Applicant in an effort to reach an amicable solution.  The four licensing objectives are: The Prevention of Crime and Disorder; Prevention of Public Nuisance; Public Safety; and Protection of Children from Harm.

The objector has a right of appeal to the Cambridge Magistrates’ Court within 21 days of receiving notification of this decision.

Signed:

Dated:             15 November 2019