notification of chairman and outline of procedure

The Chairman opened the meeting by introducing the Sub-Committee and the Officers present. He explained that the Sub-Committee would consider two applications. The first application was to vary premises licence at the Castle Inn, Eastchurch, Isle of Sheppey. The second application would be for a new premises licence for the Granaries, Standard Quay, Faversham. The application to vary the premises licence at the Kings Head, London Road, Sittingbourne had been withdrawn.

declarations of interest

No interests were declared.

part b minutes for information

application to vary premises licence at the castle inn, eastchurch, isle of sheppey under the licensing act 2003

Mr Lawson, the Applicant, presented his case. He explained that other public houses in Eastchurch had already been granted opening hours until 1pm and he was merely requesting the same. He had requested an extension of opening hours to 9am to provide refreshments for persons visiting the prisons in Eastchurch.

Mr Malcolm Pordage, representing residents at the rear of the Castle Inn, informed Members that he had lived to the rear of the Castle Inn for 22 years. He considered the landlord to be one of the best the public house had had in the past few years but unfortunately the clientele often let him down and loud noise often did not end until 11pm. He reported that before the smoking ban came into force on 1st July 2007 the garden noise levels at the site were acceptable. After that date a marquee had been erected for smokers to use and since then there had been an unacceptable rise in shouting and swearing from customers using the marquee. After complaints to the landlord he had agreed to move the marquee to the side and that as a result of this the noise levels had become more acceptable. He requested that if the applicant considered erecting a further shelter for smokers it be located to the side of the building with adequate sound proofing installed. He asked the Committee to delay any decision to allow the planning officers, the noise team, landlord and residents to meet and find a way forward to muffle the shouting and general noise created by customers.

Mr Jonathan Chilley, an adjoining resident, advised that his main objection was in respect to recorded music which often emanated from the public house late in the evening, particular coming through the open fire place in his property which adjoined the Castle Inn. He frequently had to contact the landlord to turn the recorded music down late at night.

The Applicant advised he only ever received complaints about noise from 5pm to 8pm and he was unaware of any problems late at night. In respect of the marquee he advised that both the Noise Control Officer and Smoking Officer had agreed that he had done everything he possibly could to ensure noise was not a problem whilst keeping within the appropriate guidelines. In response to a question, he confirmed that signs had been erected requesting customers to keep noise to a minimum and respect local residents.

The Applicant considered that the chimney in Mr Chilley’s property had been damaged whilst being converted from a shop to a house and this was why he could hear the recorded music.

Mr Chilley, stated that the chimney had sound insulation installed and he could also hear the noise from the other side of the house and did not feel the chimney was the problem.

Members asked various questions and consulted a plan of the premises.

The Licensing Committee adjourned to make their decision at 10:55 am. Members of the Sub-Committee, the Senior Solicitor and the Democratic Services Officer left the meeting and returned at 11:24 am, when the Sub-Committee re-convened.

The Chairman suggested that in respect of possible planning application for an extension/shelter for smokers that the applicant contact Planning Services.

application for new premises licence under the licensing act 2003

Mr Lomax, the Applicant outlined the application. He advised that he owned a wine warehouse in Sandwich, which was a much larger premises but needed to extend his business and considered this to be the best site. This was purely an extension of his business.

In response to a question he advised that the condition requesting efficient lighting referred to internal lighting. He advised that the opening hours until 10pm were purely in case they had a wine tasting event but did not anticipate staying open as late as that generally.

The Licensing Sub-Committee adjourned to make their decision at 11:48 pm. Members of the Sub-Committee, the Senior Solicitor and Democratic Services Officer left the meeting and returned at 11:49 pm, when the Sub-Committee reconvened.