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Agenda item

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: