Agenda and minutes

To appoint a Chairman for the meeting.

Councillor P.Smith as Chairman took the Chair for this meeting.

Report of the Corporate Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance) considering an application for a new premises licence for The Field, Ordinance Survey Grid Map Reference TL292019, North Road West, Northaw.

Introduction and Procedure

The purpose of the meeting was to consider an application for a new premises licence for The Field, Ordinance Survey Grid Map Reference TL292019, North Road West, Northaw.   The premises was a field locally known as Park Farm which is located adjacent to Northaw Road West Northaw and borders Colesdale Farm which also had a Premises licence for music festivals and other events.

Documentary Evidence

A copy of the Licensing Officer’s report, the premises licence application (including site plan and proposed conditions) along with written representations from relevant authorities, the Parish council, residents association, ward Councillors and local residents  had previously been circulated.

Report of the Licensing Officer

The Licensing Officer presented their report on an application which had been received from the Applicant under the Licensing Act 2003 for holding music festivals.  The Licence Hearing was as a result of the Licensing Authority receiving 124 formal written relevant representations against the proposed application within the 28 day consultation period.

The representations were made up as follows:

•Representations from Hertfordshire Constabulary, Environmental Health and Fire Authorities

•A representation from Northaw and Cuffley Parish Council

•Representations from 3 Borough Councillors representing residents

•A representation from the Northaw and Cuffley Residents Association

•112 representations from residents who live in Northaw and Cuffley,

•2 representations from persons who live in neighbouring areas

•2 representations are from persons who live outside of the County.

The representations against had been submitted under the Licensing Act 2003 on the statutory grounds of:  

a)  Prevention of public nuisance,

b)  Prevention of Crime and Disorder,

c)  Public Safety and

d)  Protection of children from harm.

The premises licence application was received by Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council Licensing Department on the 27 of July 2021.

The application details were as follows:

Premises licence application to hold up to 18 events a year, of which a maximum of 12 days would be music events operated on Saturday and Sunday only from 09:00-22:00 between April to November and an additional event on New Years Eve. The application also seeks permission for events involving the Playing of recorded music, performance of music, films, plays, performance of dance and anything similar and the sale of alcohol with proposed conditions. The Proposed opening hours of the premises to the public on event days are Saturday - Sunday 09:00 - 23:00.

Most of the representations had been submitted against the application on the grounds that the application undermines the licensing objectives of Preventing Public Nuisance, Preventing Crime and Disorder, Public Safety and the Protection of children from harm. These representations had been judged as relevant and had therefore been brought to the Licensing Sub Committee to be determined.

A high percentage of the representations received relate to the licensing objectives Prevention of Public Nuisance, Maintenance of Public Safety and Preventing Crime and Disorder. 

Representations expressed concerns that the proposed high volumes of people attending events at the premises are likely to cause issues such as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.