Agenda and minutes

Members and Officers must declare any disclosable pecuniary interests in relation to any business on the agenda. Declarations should also be made at any stage an interest becomes apparent during the meeting.

If in doubt contact the Legal or Democratic Services representative for this meeting.

None.

To receive any questions from Members of the public in accordance with Standing Order 11.2

(Note: Public Question Time will operate for a maximum of 30 minutes.)

There were no questions from members of the public.

To consider a report by the Director for Communities, copy attached as item 3.

Licensing Act 2003 – Application for a new premises licence at Orchid House, 14 West Avenue, Worthing, BN11 5LU

Before the Sub-Committee was a report by the Director for Communities, which has been circulated to all Members, a copy of which is attached to the signed copy of these minutes as item 3.

Presenting Officer outlines application

The Licensing Officer outlined the application, made on behalf of Colibri (UK) Ltd, before members. Members were advised that since publication of the papers the applicant had provided some photos of the interior and exterior of the premises and these were shared with the committee. The Officer clarified that the Police had withdrawn their objection given that the applicant had agreed to additional conditions suggested by the Police. He also clarified that 1 of the 22 representations objecting to the application had also been withdrawn.

The applicant confirmed that the Licensing Officer had provided an accurate outline of the application.

Questions from Members for the presenting Officer

A Member asked if the property in question had submitted any previous licensing applications. The officer stated that, to his knowledge, there had been none.

Representation from Resident A

The Resident made a representation which is summarised as follows:

·         Noise implications.

·         Public nuisance implications.

·         The area around the premises was 100% residential.

·         The absence of any current ambient noise in the area.

·         The amount of covers possible at the bar/restaurant could amount to having a party in the neighbour’s garden every day.

·         The intercom at the entrance to the property could be heard by neighbours.

·         Intrusive smells of cooking.

·         Intrusive smell of cigarette smoke.

Representation from Resident B

The Resident made a representation which is summarised as follows:

·         The applicant had misjudged the objection levels from neighbours.

·         The properties near the applicant's property included a Quaker Meeting House, a Dementia Care Home and a block of flats with the majority of residents being elderly.

·         The objector’s views that a bar/restaurant was out of keeping with the character of the area.

·         Little or no current ambient noise in the area.

·         The potential for the premises to hold events in the future.

·         The operating hours requested were unreasonable.

·         The possibility that the premises could have a smoking area inside to avoid smokers in the garden or a smoking area outside well away from surrounding properties.

·         The possibility that the license application is solely to improve the resale value of the property.

Representation from Resident C

The Resident made a representation which is summarised as follows:

The Quaker House had chosen this area because of its quietness.

Other groups hire the Quaker house in the daytime and evening such as, Buddhist groups, healing groups, counselling groups and art groups which also require quiet.

Representation from Resident D

·         The letters of support were not from members of the nearby community who would be affected by this licence.

·         Customer demand was irrelevant to whether a licence should be granted.

·         The fact that the venue was being promoted as a ‘high end’  ...  view the full minutes text for item LCSC/3/22-23