Agenda item

Zip World Adventure Terminal, Penrhyn Slate Quarry, Bethesda

 

To consider the above application

 

The panel and the officers were introduced to everyone who was present and it was announced that everyone had up to 10 minutes each to share their observations on the application.

 

On behalf of the premises: Mr Andrew Taylor (on behalf of the applicant)

 

Others invited:                      Ian Williams (North Wales Police), Heather Jones (Fire Service) and Councillor Dafydd Owen (Local Member)

                                                           

a)         The report and recommendation of the Licensing Section

 

Submitted – the report of the Licensing Manager giving details of the application for a premises licence for Zip World Adventure Terminal, Penrhyn Quarry, Bethesda in relation to the sale of alcohol, indoor live and recorded music, and the provision of late night refreshments to eat on the premises.

 

Attention was drawn to the proposed hours in the report. It was noted that the Licensing Authority had sufficient evidence for the application to be 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 one letter was received objecting to the application from the Fire Service as the details of the application did not meet the licensing objective of protecting the public. Attention was also drawn to observations from North Wales Police in relation to specific conditions on the use of CCTV; and observations from Public Protection on noise matters. It was noted that there was no intention of holding major events on the premises and the applicant acknowledged that noise could carry a considerable distance, given the nature of the slate quarry landscape. It was highlighted that every effort would be made to keep doors and windows closed during the periods of putting on entertainment.

 

b)            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.

 

c)            In expanding on the application, the applicant's representative noted that he was happy with what had been submitted and reiterated the following observations:

·         The new building (three floors) met the need for offices, a visitor centre, a shop, toilets and a restaurant

·         The extension was necessary in order to respond to the visitor numbers

 

ch)       The Officer from the Fire Service elaborated on their decision to refuse the application as the building's second floor was not safe for the public. She highlighted that only one fire exit had been planned and this was insufficient for the number of people who would need to leave the floor safely in an emergency. It was explained that further discussions had been held with the applicant and that a meeting would be held in a fortnight with the Building Control Department to confirm that the work did respond to the requirements.

 

In response, the applicant’s representative highlighted that following instructions from the Fire Service (May 2017) that external iron stairs were being installed as a fire exit from the second floor - the intention was for the stairs to be in place by 18 August 2017.

 

d)            Accepting an invitation from the Chair to submit his observations, the Local Member noted his concerns regarding how the company intended to keep control of the car park and the external areas in the context of people dealing drugs within the hidden areas within the site.

 

dd)         In response, the applicant's representative noted that CCTV would be a priority for the company and it would regularly monitor and manage the external areas and the main entrance. It was suggested that there would be gates to the main entrance, but the applicant's representative could not confirm this. He reiterated that it was intended to fully comply with the Police's conditions.

 

e)            Taking advantage of the right to speak, the Officer from North Wales Police noted that he had visited the site, but the building had not been completed at that time. He confirmed that a request had been submitted for the applicant to provide CCTV inside and outside the building / site. He also reiterated that the company supported Challenge 25. The officer suggested that the opening hours for the public should reflect and be consistent with the licensed hours and therefore it was proposed that the licence should highlight the closing time of 01:30am

 

f)             In summarising his application, the applicant's representative noted that the intention was to respond in full to the planning recommendation and that public safety was very important to the enterprise. He confirmed that he would contact the Fire Service and the Police should there be a need for further guidance.

 

ff)            In considering the application, all the evidence submitted was considered, giving particular attention to the Council's Licensing Policy, guidance from the Home Office and 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 additional recommendations:

 

   The licence was issued as follows:

 

1.            Live indoor music will be permitted from Monday to Saturday and between 06:00 and 00:00, and on Sundays between 06:00 and 22:30.

2.            The provision of indoor late night refreshments will be permitted, from Monday to Sunday between 23:00 and 01:00.

3.            Supply of alcohol will be permitted to be consumed on the premises, from Monday to Sunday between 10:00 and 01:00.

4.            Opening hours for the public from Monday to Sunday, between 06:00 and 01:30.

5.            The issues included in section M of the application (i.e. the operating schedule) to be included as conditions on the licence.

6.            The conditions suggested by the Police in terms of CCTV will be added to the licence.

 

In considering the Fire Service's concerns that issuing the licence would endanger public safety, on grounds that there were not enough fire exists on the second floor of the premises, the Sub-committee, having received observations from a representative of the applicant, who noted that there was an intention to build a second fire exit from the second flood, were satisfied that the application was in keeping with the licensing objectives.

 

In considering observations from the local member expressing concern about people dealing drugs in the vicinity of the premises, the Sub-committee was satisfied that the proposed CCTV conditions were sufficient to promote any such incidents.

 

The Solicitor reported that the decision would be confirmed formally in a letter sent to everyone present. He also notified that they had the right to appeal the decision within 21 days of receiving the letter.