Agenda item

The Licensing Officer was invited to introduce the report.

The report stated an application had been made by Innuendo (Bat and Ball) Limited, in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003 (LA2003), for the variation of a premises licence in respect of The Lime Kiln Inn, Langport Road, Long Sutton, TA10 9JH

The applicant was seeking authorisation to add an outside area to the current premises licence, and to enable it to be used for the sale of alcohol.  The application sought to supply alcohol Monday to Saturday 11:00 hours to midnight, and Sunday noon to 23:30 hours.  The application further sought the hours the premises were to be open Monday to Saturday 11:00 hours to 00:30 hours and Sunday noon to 00:30 hours. 

The application was subject to the usual consultation.  With regard Other Persons, the Council had received three representations from four members of the public who were opposed to the application.

With regard to Responsible Authorities, the Police had agreed conditions with the applicant during the consultation period.  These were appended to the report.

There were no other objections to the application.

The Other Persons had expressed concerns principally in relation to noise, particularly on bike nights, noise from outside areas, and the hours of operation. 

In response to questions the Officer confirmed the bike nights were not a licensable activity and the time of operation for these nights would be the same as any other day. 

Jason Schinkel was invited to speak as the Applicant.  He said motorbike groups and classic car groups had shown an interest in having meets at his pub.  He was interested in accommodating these events for them.  He described those people as generally middle-aged and non-drinkers or light-drinkers.  He said 90% of the business at the pub was in food, but he had applied to have a bar outside to avoid congestion at the bar inside.  He also intended to serve burgers outside.  He said most of the events were over by 9 pm.  Any live artists performing outside would generally play from 6 – 8 pm.

He hoped the speed limit on the road outside the pub could be reduced.  He said this would reduce the noise nuisance from bikes and vehicles and that it would be good for the pub and residents.

In response to questions, the applicant confirmed that at weekends everyone had generally left the pub by 11 pm.  Weekdays the bar was often closed by 10 pm.  In his experience the number of bikers fizzled out by 9 pm.  The bikers controlled their own events.  He said, whilst he had been at the pub, which had been 15 months, only a few artists had played live music outside including one band who had performed in the enclosed patio area, and there had been live music at a 60^th birthday party. 

He said the pub was considering the erection of a permanent marquee in order to host wedding receptions.  But this would need planning permission.

Members said they were unclear how there could be noise complaints about late events if the pub had shut as early as the applicant had said.

With regard to the road, Mrs Elaine Elliott, said there was an ongoing campaign to reduce the speed limit but it looked unlikely the speed limit would be reduced.

Whilst she noted some events had finished early, she said if the application was approved it would likely mean events would be more frequent and would go on much later.  She said the applicant was already advertising the premises could hold wedding receptions.

She described Knowle as a small hamlet in a Conservation Area which meant it was impossible to install double glazing to their house.  She and her husband ran a business providing holiday lets and they were concerned guests may be disturbed by the noise.

Elaine Elliott, was invited to put her case, as an objector.  She reiterated the contents of her representation.  She said the lay of the land meant the noise travelled and that her property and her neighbour’s properties were negatively impacted upon by events at the pub.  She said she would not object to the pub being used as a food business.  However, she was concerned longer events, up to midnight on occasions, would ruin her holiday let business.  She said her guests would often use the Lime Kiln for food and she hoped the two businesses could co-exist.  She was concerned that if the pub started hosting wedding receptions, any fireworks would upset livestock and neighbours.  She said the pub had operated without a problem for many years.  The problem was the events being held outside because there was nothing to stop the noise travelling to the neighbouring properties.

The Licensing Officer clarified what events and hours the premises were already licenced for.

Members noted current events were being held within the current licence.

The Chair thanked everyone for their contribution and invited each attendee to sum up their case.

Mrs Elliott was invited to sum up.  She reiterated her objection to the application.  She remained concerned that alcohol being served outside, and long events outside would cause a nuisance to many local people.  She believed other neighbours would have objected to the application but they did not want to attend a meeting such as this.

Mr Schinkel was invited to sum up.  He said he had been at the business for 15 months and he was trying to make a success of it.  However, he said it was tough to make a profit running a pub.  To make it successful he needed to find new ways of improving the business.  Therefore, he needed to continue with the motorbike and classic car meets.  He was lucky he had plenty of room for car parking and could accommodate such events.  He was sorry some of the neighbours objected to the events.  However, he said some other people had been supportive of it.

The Licensing Officer was invited to sum up.  She set out the detail of the application and set out the options the Sub Committee had. 

The Sub Committee adjourned to make their deliberations.

RESOLVED

That the application be granted. 

All relevant parties to the decision of the Licensing Authority have the right of appeal to Magistrates Court, in connection with this matter.  This must be done within 21 days of being notified in writing of the relevant decision.