Decision details

DECISION NOTICE - LICENSING ACT 2003 SUB-COMMITTEE

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

13 JANUARY 2015

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

The Sub-Committee have considered the representations made to us today and in writing from:

• Cambridgeshire Constabulary
• Councillor Swift, Ward Councillor
• Councillor Shearman, a Local City Councillor and representative of the Victoria Park Residents Association
• Brian Gascoyne, Chairman of Millfield and New England Regeneration Partnership (MANERP)
• The Applicant’s Legal Representative

The police in their own words offer a ‘fairly neutral’ representation and say there is little crime reported in the immediate area where the premises are situated. However, they say that within the Cumulative Impact area there is a significant concentration of licensed premises.

Cllr Shearman, as the representative for the Victoria Park Residents Association, tells us that there is significant alcohol related crime throughout the area and that residents are against the granting of another off licence for a general store style of shop.

Brian Gasgoyne, representing MANERP, also has concerns over alcohol related crime within the area and any increase in licensed premises.

Cllr Swift tells us that the area is much improved regarding alcohol related crime and that with a large Eastern European representation in the area, that they should be able to purchase alcohol from this store.

We have disregarded any representations of ‘need’ and any proposed planning permissions for a superstore.

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 ‘Op Can-do’ 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 as a whole 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 to grant further premises licences in a cumulative impact zone. However, the Licensing Authority recognises that such a policy is not absolute.

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.

The Sub-Committee believed that to grant the licence would further add to the CI within the ‘Operation Can-Do’ area and would undermine the promotion of the licensing objectives, during the times applied for, for the sale of alcohol.

The CI area is already saturated with such premises and the Op Can Do initiative is making progress, and the grant of this licence will impact on the northern area of the CI policy.

We therefore refuse 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 MBE

Sub-Committee Chairman