SNOWDONIA
OUTDOOR FESTIVAL GWERNHEFIN FARM, LLANYCIL, BALA
To consider
the above application
Minutes:
The panel and the
officers were introduced to everyone that was present and it was announced that
everyone had up to 10 minutes to share their observations on the application.
On behalf of the premises: Mr Brian Welts (CTM Brand Events), Mr Will Johnson (CTM Brand
Events) and Ms Nicola Meadley (Brand Event Ltd)
Others
invited: Mr Ian
Williams (North Wales Police)
Mr
Euron Thomas (Senior Environmental Health Officer, Public Protection - Gwynedd
Council)
Councillor
Elwyn Edwards - Local Member
Submitted – the
report of the Licensing Manager giving details of the application for a
premises licence for Snowdonia Outdoor Festival, Gwern Hefin Farm, Llanycil,
Bala, from Brand Events TM Limited, 4, Vencourt Place, London.
The application was
in respect of the supply of alcohol, recorded music, live music, the
performance of dance, the showing of films and dramas, any other entertainment
and the provision of late night refreshment on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It was highlighted that the festival would be
held on the premises annually over one weekend should the licence be approved.
Attention was
drawn to the proposed hours in the report. It was noted that the Officers of
the Licensing Authority had sufficient evidence that the application had been
submitted in accordance with the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003 and the
relevant regulations.
Reference was made
to measures recommended by the applicant to promote the licensing objectives
along with the responses that had been received during the consultation period.
It was noted that
five letters / e-mails had been received objecting to the application on the
basis of preventing public nuisance and public safety. Attention was drawn to
the comments and recommendations presented by the Police, Fire and Rescue
Service, Snowdonia National Park Planning Authority, Gwynedd Council's
Environmental Health Officer and Gwynedd Council's Food, Health and Safety
Unit's Officer.
It was reiterated
that the organisers had been in contact with the respondents to try to resolve
the concerns and it was noted that the live music would end at 22:30; that a
security fence would surround the site with supervision to ensure that anyone
attending the festival would not trespass on nearby property. It was
highlighted that since the report had been published, four out of five of the
objectors had officially withdrawn their comments following reconciliation
discussions with the applicant.
It was confirmed
that the Heath and Safety Officer was satisfied that the Events Management Plan
had been completed and the Senior Environmental Health Officer added that a
number of discussions had taken place on noise matters and an appropriate noise
conditions contract had been included in the application.
The Chairman noted
that the report was comprehensive and everyone was thanked for working together
to resolve the concerns. In response to a comment about why Rhiwlas Fields were
not available for the event (a site which was accustomed to holding large events),
the Local Member highlighted that the fields were not available due to a change
in agricultural methods.
a)
In considering the application, the following
procedure was followed:-
· Members of the
Sub-committee and the applicant were given an opportunity to ask questions of
the Licensing Manager.
· The applicant was
invited to expand on the application
· Consultees were
given an opportunity to submit their observations
· The licensee, or
his representative, was invited to respond to the observations
· Members of the
Sub-committee were given an opportunity to ask questions of the licensee.
· Members of the
Sub-committee were given an opportunity to ask questions of the consultees.
b)
In expanding on the application, the applicants
noted that they were happy with what had been submitted and reiterated the
following observations:
· They were working
with specialists to ensure that traffic concerns were met
· Speed would be
restricted to 30mph as far as possible
· No objections had
been received from the Transport Unit
· A bus would be
provided by a local company to transport people from the town to the site
· There was a
suitable foot and cycle path route to reach the site
· They confirmed
that live music would end at 22:45 rather than 23:00
In response to a
question regarding light disruption, it was noted that low security lights
would be on the site throughout the night, but the floodlights would be
switched off once people had left the site.
In response to a
comment about visitors to the Festival gathering in the underground tunnel from
the car park to the site, it was highlighted that stewards would be available
to facilitate the system at busy times. The need to ensure that the surface
area of the walkways were smooth was reiterated. It was confirmed that stewards
would always be available in the car parks with radio contact to respond to any
problems that may arise.
ch)
The letter that had been received
stating an objection to the application from Mr Ivor Jones was acknowledged -
the other objections had been officially withdrawn.
c)
The Officer to the Police noted that North Wales
Police had no evidence that would enable them to object the application. The following main observations were noted:
·
The management plan had already been presented -
this was welcomed
·
The application was thorough - had been presented
well
·
They had contacted the Cumbria Authority to enquire
how the company had run the Fesitval there
·
Discussions had alreday been held with the area'r
Chief Inspector about arrangements.
In response to a question
regarding the possibility of gathering in the underground tunnel, the officer
confirmed that he would ensure that this concern would be discussed in the
security meeting.
dd)
The Senior Environmental Heath Officer noted that
the Department had no concerns about noise nuisance as a noise control plan had
been included with the application and that music would end at 22:45 (which was
very early compared to other applications). It was
highlighted that noise was not the event's focus. It was reiterated that
detailed discussions had taken place with noise specialists and that the
conditions had been accepted. Noise levels would be monitored on four different
sites throughout the Festival and reports would be presented to the Environment
Unit. It was noted that the
application was of a high standard and that this was to be welcomed together
with receiving documents beforehand.
d)
In accepting an invitation from the Chairman to
present his comments, the Local Member noted that he had attended a meeting with
the applicant and that he had congratulated them on the detailed report. In response to a question regarding use of
the Welsh language, the applicant noted their intention to work with the
Ceidiog company to promote the Welsh language and had arranged to translate the
Festival's details on their website. Every press release would be
bilingual. In response to a question
regarding using local organisations to support the venture, it was noted that
discussions had already been held with a number of local organisations, the
tourism office and representatives from the town's traders and in regards to
food providers, an invite would be given to local providers in the first place.
The Councillor
expressed that he was happy with the responses and that he had no objection to
the venture.
e)
When considering the application, all the evidence
submitted was considered, and particular attention was given to the principles
of the Licensing Act 2003
• Crime and Disorder
• Public Safety
• Preventing Public Nuisance
• Protection of Children from Harm
RESOLVED to
approve the application subject to the additional conditions:
The licence was issued as follows:
·
Approve the sale of alcohol to be consumed on and off
the premises, from Friday to Sunday between 10:00 and 00:00.
·
Approve live music indoors and outdoors, from
Friday to Sunday between 10:00 and 22:45.
·
Approve the playing of recorded music indoors and
outdoors, from Friday to Sunday between 10:00 and 00:00.
·
Approve dance performances indoors and outdoors,
from Friday to Sunday between 10:00 and 00:00.
·
Approve dramas indoors and outdoors, from Friday to
Sunday between 10:00 and 00:00.
·
Approve films indoors and outdoors, from Friday to
Sunday between 10:00 and 00:00.
·
Approve other entertainment indoor and outdoor,
from Friday to Sunday between 10:00 and 00:00.
·
Approve late night refreshments indoors and
outdoors, from Friday to Monday between 23:00 and 01:00.
·
The issues that had been included in section M of
the application were included as conditions on the licence.
·
That the noise control issues suggested by
Environmental Health were included as conditions on the licence, with the event
to address live music finishing at 22:45.
In reaching their
decision, the Sub-committee considered the application form along with written
comments from the Police, Fire Service, Snowdonia National Park Authority,
Gwynedd Council's Environmental Health Unit, Mr Ifor Jones and the licensing
officer's report. The verbal comments of all who were present in the hearing
were considered in addition to the Council's licensing policy and Home Office
guidance.
Whilst considering
Mr Ifor Jones' comments which raised concerns that approving the licence would
lead to an increase in noise and traffic in the area, the Sub-committee
accepted that noise could be relevant to the objective of preventing public
nuisance, but no evidence had been received that issuing the licence would
likely lead to noise and public nuisance problems.
As live music would end at 22:45 over
the period of one weekend in the year, the noise would not be late or regular
and therefore it was not considered as a basis to allege that approving the
licence would lead to public nuisance as defined by law. The Sub-committee
noted their disappointed that Mr Jones was not present in the hearing to expand
on his comments.
As the
Sub-committee considered that traffic could be relevant to the licensing
objective of protecting public safety, the Sub-committee was not of the opinion
that approving the licence would mean an increase in traffic that could be
detrimental to public safety. No evidence of traffic problems had been
presented from Gwynedd Council's Highways Department or the Police. It was also
noted that the Bala area was accustomed to holding large events in the past -
such as the National Eisteddfod and the County Show - and that there was no
evidence that these events had lead to traffic problems that was synonymous
with harm to public safety.
The Sub-committee was willing that the
application and rigorous measures presented by the applicant were in keeping
with the four licensing objectives.
Supporting documents: