Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Item 4: Hugh Owen, Allan Jones, Laura Jones, Caroline Thomas and Ceinwen Williams

Item 5: Local Member - Councillor Nia Jeffreys

To receive any declaration of personal interest.

None to note.

To note any items that are a matter of urgency in the view of the Chairman for consideration.

None to note.

Greenwood Family Park, Bush Road, Y Felinheli, Gwynedd, LL56 4QN

To consider the application

RESOVLVED:  In accordance to the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003, the application was approved, having regard to representations made; and in accordance with the concession on hours of permitted regulated entertainment outdoors agreed between the Public Protection Officer and the applicant.

Conditions: The measures proposed by the applicant in section M of the application to be included as conditions

Greenwood Family Park, Lôn Llwyn, Y Felinheli, Gwynedd LL56 4QN

Others invited:

·        Andrew Baker - Applicant - Greenwood Family Park

·        Simon Dale - Greenwood Family Park

·        Ffion Muscroft (Public Protection Officer)

·        Elisabeth Williams (Licensing Officer, North Wales Police)

·        Nest Griffiths - Local Resident

·        Stephen Watson-Jones - Local Resident

·        Karen Jones - Local Resident 

·        Andy Hemmings - Local Resident 

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

a)               The Licensing Department's Report

Submitted – the report of the Licensing Manager giving details of the application for a premises licence for Greenwood Family Park, Lôn Llwyn, Y Felinheli, Gwynedd, from the applicant, Mr Andrew Baker, General Manager. It was explained that Greenwood Family Park was a popular tourist attraction in Gwynedd and that the site offered a variety of activities as well as glamping accommodation.

An application was made to obtain a licence to sell alcohol (bottled local produce), to serve with meals at their on-site restaurant, as well as selling bottled local produce in the gift shop. It was reiterated that the glamping accommodation was open to guests 7 days a week from the beginning of April until the end of October.

As well as the sale of alcohol for consumption on and off the premises from 10:00 to 22:00, playing live and recorded music, drama and films, dance performances (indoors and outdoors) also until 22:00, 7 days a week, the application also stated an intention to arrange indoor and outdoor performances and dramas in an outdoor theatre area, regularly throughout the year (mainly during the busiest season but also during the period leading up to Christmas), for glamping guests and members of the community, from February until October. It was noted that an amplifier would be used for such entertainment.

It was noted that the Licensing Authority Officers had sufficient evidence that the application had been submitted in accordance with the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003 and the relevant regulations.

Attention was drawn to the responses received during the consultation period. It was noted that North Wales Police or the Fire Authority did not object to the application, but observations on the application were received from the Public Protection Service based on concerns that there was insufficient information in the application which highlighted that the public nuisance objective would not be undermined. In addition, nine letters and e-mails of objection were received from local residents in relation to the Licensing objectives of Public Safety, Public Nuisance and the Protection of Children from Harm. Their observations / concerns referred to an increase in traffic; that live/recorded music until 22:00 would cause a public nuisance; that children could obtain alcohol on the site; that those who had drank alcohol on the site would be likely to leave on foot, and walk along a very narrow and dangerous  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Clwb Llyn Bach, Heol yr Wyddfa, Porthmadog, LL49 9DF

To consider the application

RESOVLVED:  In accordance with the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003, and considering the observations received, the application was REFUSED.

Reasons -   

None of the measures recommended in part M have convinced either the Licensing Authority or the Public Protection Service that it was possible to have measures in place to manage noise impact at this location which is  surrounded by residential properties.

A complaint had been received recently regarding music noise and the noise of customers at the licensed premises

Although the Public Protection Officer had informed the applicant of the intention to object the application based on the licensing objective of preventing public nuisance; no response was received from the applicant, or any suggestion of compromise.

It would be more appropriate for the applicant to submit temporary event notices in order to attempt to identify means of managing the noise when using the beer garden for licensed activities.  

Clwb Llyn Bach, Heol yr Wyddfa, Porthmadog LL49 9DF

Others invited: 

·        Mr John Lewis Roberts (applicant)

·        Mared Llwyd (Public Protection Manager - Pollution and Licensing Control)

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

a)    The Licensing Department's Report

Submitted - the report of the Licensing Manager detailing an application to vary the licence of Clwb Llyn Bach, Heol yr Wyddfa, Porthmadog, to add the sale of alcohol from a small building located outside (to the rear of the main building) for licensable activities when events are held at busy times. It was noted that the Club was mainly for members; which included a bar and patio area / beer garden; with a premises licence instead of a club certificate.

A request was made for permission to play live and recorded music until 01:00 every day as well as dance performances, and any similar activity such as stand-up comedians, indoors and outdoors, 7 days a week, but that regulated entertainment, including music and dance, finishes outdoors at 23:00. Although there is no increase in the hours of licensable activities compared to the current licence, the applicant requests the right to hold licensable activities outside the premises until 23:00. It was intended to sell alcohol from the hatch in the external bar until 23:30, and close the beer garden at 00:00, asking the customers to move inside the building. The applicant requested permission for a comedian to perform indoors as well as outdoors until 01:00, despite noting in part M of the application that the outdoor area would close at 00:00.

It was noted that the Licensing Authority Officers had sufficient evidence that the application had been submitted in accordance with the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003 and the relevant regulations.

Attention was drawn to the responses received during the consultation period. It was noted that neither North Wales Police nor the Fire Service had an objection to the application and an observation was received from Porthmadog Town Council stating that they had no objection provided that the activities were restricted to inside the building, and not outdoors. An objection to the application was received from the Public Protection Service based on concerns that the licensing objective of prevention of public nuisance is undermined due to the proposal to hold licensable activities outside the premises with regulated entertainment to be approved in the outdoors until 23:00, and the outdoor bar until 23:30.

It was highlighted that applicants were expected to provide detailed information with the application to allow the Licensing Authority to determine whether the measures proposed are sufficient to promote the licensing objectives in the local area. It was reported that no details of the proposed steps intended to take to mitigate the impact of noise on nearby residents during events where entertainment is held, had been submitted by the applicant in this case.  

As a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.