Decision details

AB

DECISION NOTICE - LICENSING ACT 2003 SUB-COMMITTEE

APPLICATION OF THE PREMISES LICENCE – LITTLE EUROPE, 715 LINCOLN ROAD, PETERBOROUGH

20 MAY 2014

This Decision Notice refers to the application for the premises licence Little Europe, 715 Lincoln Road, Peterborough.

The Applicant was not present today and had indicated that he would not be present due to another commitment. He did state that he had not received the papers in time to attend or make further representations in support of his application.

However, the Committee is satisfied that he did receive the papers in sufficient time given that he had also instructed legal representation and an agent during the course of the application. Neither the legal representative nor the agent were in attendance.

The Committee decided that it was fair to proceed in absence of the Applicant, as it felt it had sufficient information before it to make a decision.

We have considered the representations made to us today and in:

• Public Health
• Pollution Control
• Trading Standards
• Cambridgeshire Constabulary
• Brian Gascoyne, Chairman of Millfield and New England Regeneration Partnership

The premises lie within an area designated as a cumulative impact zone known as the ‘Op Can-do’ area, incorporating mainly the Millfield and New England areas of the City. On 18 April 2013 the Licensing Authority adopted a special policy concerning this area.

This area suffers from a proliferation of outlets selling alcohol. Many such outlets trade with ‘off sales’ licences. These premises being off licences and small grocery shops.

The ‘Can-do’ operation partnership with the City Council, Policy, NHS and Community Groups is designed to address the issues caused by the sale of alcohol in this area.

These issues include alcohol abuse, which adversely affects the health of many of the residents who live in the area.

There are issues relating to street crime and anti-social behaviour in the area which are a drain on Police and the Authorities resources.

We are concerned with the increase in alcohol consumption and the detrimental effects it has on the community.

There is a rebuttable presumption not the grant further premises licences in a cumulative impact zone. However, the Licensing Authority recognises that such a policy is not absolute.

There are 93 premises authorised to sell alcohol in the area.

-       39 off sales only,

-       31 both on and off sales, and

-       23 on sales only

In order to rebut the presumption not to grant, Applicants need to address the special policy issues in the operating schedules and demonstrate why the operation of the premises will not add to the cumulative impact already being experienced.

In our deliberations we have considered:

-       Our own Statement of Licensing Policy at paragraph 11,

-       The Government guidance at paragraph 13.29 and 13.30,

-       The representation from the Police and from the Licensing Authority,

-       The operating schedule within the application.

We consider that the options available to us are:

-       To grant this licence as applied for,

-       To grant with additional conditions, or

-       To reject the application.

If this application is granted we say it will undermine the promotion of the licensing objectives, and further add to the cumulative impact of such premises, and that any conditions would be ineffective in preventing the issues in the Operation CAN-DO area, as highlighted in the special policy.

We say that there would be an increase in alcohol related anti-social behaviour and an increase in alcohol consumption should this licence be granted in an area already saturated with such premise.

We therefore reject this application for a licence for the premises, known as Little Europe, 715 Lincoln Road, Peterborough.

Any party in objection to the decision may appeal to the Peterborough Magistrates Court within 21 days of receiving this formal notice at:

Peterborough Court House, Bridge Street, Peterborough, PE1 1ED. Tel No. 0845 3100575. There is a fee to pay.

Councillor Thacker

Sub-Committee Chairman