Agenda item

Ty Beechwood, Bridge Road, Dolgellau

 

To consider the above application

BEECHWOOD HOUSE, BRIDGE STREET, DOLGELLAU

 

 

On behalf of the premises: Dean Hawkins (Applicant)

                                                Llinos Rowlands (Pubwatch Scheme / Owner of Dylanwad Da)

                                               

Others invited:                      Ian Williams (Anglesey and Gwynedd Licensing Co-ordinator, North Wales Police)

                                                Lis Williams (North Wales Police)

                                                Mark Mortimer (Public Protection Enforcement Officer)

 

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting. Lis Williams was welcomed as the new North Wales Police representative as Mr Ian Williams would be retiring from the Police. Mr Williams was thanked for his services and support and was wished a healthy and happy retirement.

 

The Chair highlighted that each party had the right to up to ten minutes to present their observations

 

a)            The Licensing Department's Report

 

Submitted – the report of the Licensing Manager detailing the application for a premises licence for Beechwood House, Bridge Street, Dolgellau. The application was being made in relation to a premises licence for a licensed shop and bar, by transforming the lower floor.  It was intended to sell alcohol off the premises.

 

Attention was drawn to the details of the licensed activities and the proposed hours in the report. It was noted that since the report had been published, the applicant had agreed to a reduction in the hours, and therefore the application was being considered as an amended application. 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.

 

Reference was made to the measures that had been recommended by the applicant to promote the licensing objectives, and it was highlighted that these measures would be included on the licence. Attention was drawn to one objection that had been received during the consultation period, raising concerns about anti-social matters in relation to noise, customers smoking outside and other sanitary issues behind the premises.

The Police and the Fire and Rescue Service had no objections to the application, but the Police submitted observations in relation to CCTV. The applicant also agreed to the Public Protection Department's conditions regarding a compromise to the opening hours.

b)         In considering the application, the following procedure was adhered to:-

·      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 present their observations.

·      The licensee, or his/her 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 consultee

In expanding on the application, the applicant noted that he was happy with what had been presented.

He added the following observations:

·         The non-standard times would be for special events e.g. Sesiwn Fawr

·         He accepted the conditions proposed by the Public Protection Department and was willing to reduce the opening hours

·         It was intended to establish a high quality bar and somewhere to relax, rather than to create a public house atmosphere. It would bring something different to the town that would keep people in the locality and contribute to the local economy.

Llinos Rowlands added the following observations

·         The venture had detailed plans 

·         The venture would be a positive addition to the town

·         The venture would employ local people and would contribute towards the local economy

·         It would be possible to install more lighting and CCTV cameras to alleviate concerns

·         The onus was on the applicant to provide good management

Exercising his right to speak, the Police Officer confirmed that the Police had no evidence to object to the application, as it was a new application. He accepted that there had been past difficulties in relation to 'The Stag Inn' public house, but those difficulties were irrelevant to the property under consideration.

He added the following observations:

·         He was satisfied with plans and arrangements for managing the site

·         A CCTV condition had been included as part of the application

·         The hours were very reasonable

Exercising his right to speak, the Public Protection Officer stated that there had been positive discussions and collaboration with the applicant, and a compromise had been reached on the opening hours.

He added the following observations:

·         Conditions had been imposed on the application

·         There was no permission to hold outside events (a lack of space)

·         Waste management arrangements could be made through the planning system

·         The concerns expressed in the objection referred to other nearby public houses

In summarising his application, the applicant noted

·         Children would not be permitted after 8pm - signs would be installed to inform families about the rules

·         There would be no access to the bar from the bike storage area at the rear - only access to the flats above

·         Additional toilets would be installed within the property

c)            The applicant and the consultee withdrew from the room while members of the Sub-committee discussed the application

d) In reaching its decision, the Sub-committee considered the application form, written comments submitted by interested parties, the Licensing Officer's report, and verbal comments from the applicant at the hearing. The Council's Licensing Policy and the Home Office guidelines were also considered. All considerations were weighed up against the licensing objectives under the Licensing Act 2003, namely:

                       i.       Crime and disorder prevention

                      ii.       Public nuisance prevention

                     iii.       Ensuring public safety

                     iv.       Protection of children from harm

RESOLVED to approve the application 

While acknowledging the concerns expressed by the owner of an adjacent business regarding anti-social matters in relation to noise, customers smoking outside and other sanitary issues behind the premises, the Sub-committee was not convinced that issuing the licence would undermine the licensing objectives. No evidence was received that issuing the licence would lead to an increase in noise, customers smoking or sanitary problems that would cause a public nuisance.

 

The Sub-committee was satisfied that the licence application, as amended, was in line with the licensing objectives.

 

The Solicitor reported that the decision would be confirmed formally by letter and sent to all present.