Agenda item

The Licensing Sub-Committee considered an application for a new premises licence for the Debden House Centre, Debden Green, Loughton. The three councillors that presided over this item were Councillors P Keska (Chairman), S Heather and L Mead. Also in attendance were Councillor I Allgood and the Council’s Legal Services Manager, N Boateng.

The Chairman welcomed from the London Borough of Newham the applicant and Head of Debden House Centre, Ms S Brown, who was accompanied by Mr P Gibb, Head of Education. The objectors present were T Lomas, Mr & Mrs Harragan and Mr & Mrs Cain.

The Licensing Compliance Officer, H Ibrahim, introduced the new premises licence application in respect of Debden House Centre, Debden Green, Loughton IG10 2NZ. The authority had received representations from The City of London (Epping Forest Office), Loughton Town Council and 16 residents, which related to the four licensing objectives.

The applicant was applying for the following licensable activities:

Provision of film - 10:00 to 00:00 Monday to Sunday

Provision of live music (outside) - 10:00 to 23:00 Monday to Sunday

Provision of live music (inside) - 10:00 to 01:00 Monday to Sunday

Provision of recorded music (outside) - 10:00 to 23:00 Monday to Sunday

Provision of recorded music (inside) - 10:00 to 01:00 Monday to Sunday

Provision of late night refreshment - 23:00 to 01:00 Monday to Sunday

Sale of alcohol (on and off sales) - 11:00 to 00:00 Monday to Sunday

The opening hours of the premises - 09:00 to 01:00 Monday to Sunday

The applicant outlined the licensable activities she wanted at Debden House, which had been purchased by the London Borough of Newham in 1947. The main house was open all year round while the campsite operated for 75 days of the year. All events were managed by the Centre and the proposed licensable activities would allow the Centre to sell alcohol and have music entertainment. The Centre had increased the signage on site, managed any litter and the dispersal policy helped vehicles to safely exit the site. The Centre’s activities should not disrupt properties nearby, but the applicant had given neighbouring residents an out-of-hours telephone number to use if it was required. Essex Police had not objected to the application.

The Sub-Committee asked questions related to noise inside and outside the Centre and the possible installation of a noise limiter. The applicant clarified a noise limiter would monitor noise inside the house. EFDC Environmental Officers were due to carry out a check on noise soon. Outside in the garden there was a marquee and the café area in the campsite. The Licensing Compliance Officer advised that outside music was being applied for and a plan in the agenda highlighted the site. Also, music between 08.00 and 23.00 was deregulated. The applicant clarified that people could not book the venue online but had to phone the office, so staff could check the suitability of the event. A damage deposit was required. The DBS had now received his licence. The previous licence had lapsed in 2018 when the member of staff that had been the DBS had left.

The objectors raised a number of concerns below, which the applicant answered.

·     Assurance was sought to control noise from events inside and outside the Centre as the proposed licensable activities covered Mondays to Sundays.

·     Noise nuisance affected neighbouring residents mostly at weekends, so the volume of noise needed to be monitored both inside and outside, as it was detrimental to these residents.

·     Assurances were sought that car parking and cars leaving the site after an event were adequately managed.

·     Congestion was also caused by taxis picking up customers outside the site after an event.

·     Off sales of alcohol would allow any members of the public to buy alcohol, which was deemed to be unsatisfactory.

·     Litter dropped on Debden Green increased after an event, so litter picking needed to be managed effectively by the Centre.

·     Signage to Debden House needed to be improved as temporary signage seemed to be being used and lighting around the site should also be improved.

The objectors made a closing statement.

The applicant made a closing statement.

The Sub-Committee and advising officers went into private session.

The Sub-Committee returned and advised the participants of its decision. The representations in support of and against the application, both oral and written, had been taken into account. The Sub-Committee had also considered what was appropriate to promote the four licensing objectives and the relevant parts of the Council’s Licensing Policy and Government guidance.

During the Sub-Committee’s deliberations in private session the advisory officers gave the following advice below.

·     Clarification regarding the extent of the application.

·     Advice was given regarding amendments to conditions.

·     Advice was given regarding the enforceability of conditions related to noise monitoring.

            Resolved:

That application for a Premises Licence in respect of Debden House, Debden Green, Loughton:

Be granted for:

Provision of film - 10:00 to 23:00 Monday to Sunday

Provision of live music (outside) - 10:00 to 22:00 Thursday to Saturday, Sunday 12:00 to 21:00

Provision of live music (inside) - 10:00 to 00:00 Thursday to Saturday, Sunday 12:00 to 21:00

Provision of recorded music (outside) - 10:00 to 22:00 Thursday to Saturday, Sunday 12:00 to 21:00

Provision of recorded music (inside) - 10:00 to 00:00 Monday to Saturday, Sunday 12:00 to 21:00

Sale of alcohol (on and off sales) - 11:00 to 23:00 Monday to Saturday, Sunday 12:00 to 22:00

The opening hours of the premises - 09:00 to 01:00 Monday to Sunday

Subject to:

The conditions as submitted by the applicant within their application including the amendments provided in the supplementary agenda submissions, in addition:

(1)        The applicant shall liaise with the Council’s Environmental Team regarding noise limiting at the venue.

(2)        The Litter picking condition to be extended to

include immediately following events.

The applicant and the persons who had made representations were reminded of their right of appeal to the Magistrates Court within 21 days of the date of the written notification of this decision.