Agenda item

Decision:-

That the application for conversion and variation to a licence in respect of the Fox and Hounds, Grantham Road, Old Somerby be agreed for the following hours for the sale of alcohol and activities requested:-

            05.00hrs to 00.00hrs – Monday to Thursday

            05.00 hrs to 01.00hrs – Friday and Saturday

            05.00hrs to 00.00hrs – Sunday

and subject to thirty minutes drinking up time, and subject also to the following conditions:-

1.     All external doors and windows shall be kept closed when regulated entertainment is being provided, except in the case of emergency or for access/egress.

2.     No external alcohol sales shall take place after 11.00pm on any day.

3.     No light from or on the premises and any other light under the control of the premises shall be provided where that light causes a nuisance to any nearby premises;

and that the applicant be requested to position suitable signs asking customers to have due consideration to local residents when leaving the premises.

The committee had before them the Head of Environmental Health and Licensing’s report ENV260 in relation to an application for conversion and variation to a licence for The Fox and Hounds, Grantham Road, Old Somerby.  A full copy of the application was attached at appendix one together with a map of the premises.  Attached at appendix two were objections from local residents and a further objection was circulated to members present at the meeting.

The Corporate Manager introduced the application and clarified who would be speaking for the applicants.  It was noted that there was no representative from the police present and there were two local residents who had previously objected to the application in writing.

Present at the meeting were representatives of the applicants, and the Chairman, in introducing the application, sought and received confirmation from the applicants that they had received and understood the procedure to be followed.

In introducing his report, the Head of Environmental Health and Licensing drew the attention of members to the proposed hours of operation and other variations from the existing situation.  He reminded the committee that there had been objections from local residents, one of which had been circulated to the meeting, but that there were no objections from the police. 

The applicants then presented their case, stressing that they were not proposing to operate on a twenty-four hour basis.  They had only owned the premises since November 2004 and were aware of the need to fit in with the local community.  The proposed alterations to the licensed area were outlined and it was stressed that food was a significant part of the operation of the premises.  The hours for the sale of alcohol and the carrying on of entertainment were explained and it was stressed that authority was only sought for basically what existed at present.  There was no intention to significantly vary the method of operation of the premises.

The Head of Environmental Health and Licensing queried the operation of temporary event notices in relation to proposed activity at the premises and the applicant clarified this situation.  Members then asked a variety of questions in relation to complaints, the use of the property for wedding receptions and the existence of a beer garden. 

The committee then heard representations from:-

            Mr and Mrs D Philips – The Holt, Grantham Road

            Mrs F M Chapman-King – Tanglewood, Grantham Road

in relation to their objection to the application.

During the ensuing discussion, and questions to the objectors, the applicants confirmed that they would be prepared to position suitable notices asking customers to be considerate towards local residents when leaving the premises and the car park.

The Head of Environmental Health and Licensing summed up his report, following which the applicants summed up their case stating that the allegations of fighting and noise near the premises could not necessarily be attributed to the operation of The Fox and Hounds; that they would take action in relation to alleged excessive illumination, and that they were aware that should there be complaints attributable to the premises that a review of the licence was possible.

The Corporate Manager sought clarification on the terms of the application, and it was confirmed that the application was as applied for in terms of hours and type and variety of entertainment to be provided.

The applicants, officers and objectors then left the room.  During the ensuing general discussion on the application, members expressed views in relation to appropriate conditions which could be imposed to mitigate the effect of the activity at the premises for the benefit of local residents and the Corporate Manager read out suggested conditions which would be appropriate in the circumstances.  It was then proposed and seconded that the application be approved as applied for subject to the conditions mentioned, subject also to a note regarding consideration to local residents when leaving the premises and with an explanation that the licence was reviewable in the light of any problems.  On being put to the vote the proposition was agreed.

The applicants, officers and objectors then returned to the meeting and were advised of the decision, as noted above.  The Corporate Manager also advised the applicant that the decision could be reviewed at any time by any interested party.

(The meeting adjourned from 11.05am to 11.25am)