To consider a new premises Licence at Brenley Farm, Faversham.

The Licensing Officer introduced the report which was for an application for a new Premises Licence to hold wedding receptions and supply alcohol for these events, at Brenley Farm, Brenley Lane, Boughton.  He outlined the proposed hours as set out on page 4 of the report, and advised that two valid representations had been received from members of the public.

The Chairman invited the applicant Julia Berry to present her case.  Mrs Berry said that she and her family lived on site; wedding events would only take place between April and August; and there would be no more than 10 bookings per year.  She added that she was aware of her responsibilities.

The Chairman invited Members to ask questions.

In response to a question on the distance from the farm to the objector’s property, Mr Berry advised that it was approximately 1km away.  The Senior Lawyer (Contentious) clarified the number of weddings proposed.  Mrs Berry said that she was willing for a condition restricting the number of weddings to 10 in any calendar year.

Mr Hodgson, objector, said that he had no objection to the events in principle, but live amplified music travelled, particularly in a quiet countryside environment, and as the weddings were to be held outside it would be difficult to limit the sound.  He added that his summer evenings could be spoilt by noise pollution from the events.

There was a discussion around a wedding ceremony and reception held at the farm the previous weekend with a 4-piece band. Mr Hodgson confirmed he had heard amplified music from 8pm to midnight but suggested the band had been told to keep the noise levels down, which Mr and Mrs Berry strongly refuted.  The Senior Lawyer (Contentious) questioned whether it had caused a nuisance and highlighted that there had been no objection to the licence application from Environmental Health, and the only representations against the licence had come from Mr Hodgson’s address.

In response to a Member’s question on methods of controlling the noise levels, the Senior Lawyer (Contentious) gave an overview of how limits could be set and how noise travelled.  He went on to say that the events could be run without a licence up to 11pm and suggested parties could negotiate together to achieve a suitable solution.

Mr Berry explained that the events could not be held inside because buildings on the site were not appropriate as they were historical listed buildings which contained wildlife.  Mrs Berry advised that the speakers from weddings faced toward a relative’s property.

The Senior Lawyer (Contentious) confirmed that the appropriate levels of communication to advertise the licence application had been applied and explained the process of a licence review.

Members of the Sub-Committee adjourned to make their decision at 2.47pm.  Members of the Sub-Committee, the Senior Lawyer (Contentious) and the Senior Democratic Services Officer returned at 3.25pm, when the meeting was reconvened.

The decision as set out in Appendix I to these minutes was announced.

Resolved:

(1)  The Sub-Committee agreed to grant the licence as applied for subject to a condition limiting the number of licenced events to ten per calendar year.