Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chairman gave details of the exits to be used in the event of an emergency and the location of the toilets.

The Chairman confirmed the withdrawal of the representation made in respect of the application by Mr and Mrs Venner (contained on page 91 of the Agenda papers) and that therefore this would not be considered in the hearing.

The Chairman confirmed that there was a supplement to the Agenda issued on 16 March 2011 providing additional information on the operational plan for the proposed event.

The Chairman granted to members of the press present permission to film the proceedings whilst the Sub-Committee was in open session, except where individual Interested Parties had indicated that they did not wish to be filmed whilst making their representations.

Application by Barge Inn Community Project (Graham MacVoy) for a Premises Licence at The Barge Inn, Honeystreet, Pewsey, Wiltshire SN8 5PS – “Honeyfest”

The Licensing Officer introduced the purpose and scope of the application, the premises to which it related and the key issues for consideration.

In accordance with the procedure detailed in the agenda, the Applicant, the Responsible Authorities and the Interested Parties were given the opportunity to address the Sub-Committee.

Key points raised by Graham MacVoy on behalf of the Applicant, Barge Inn Community Project, were:

·               Scope of the application in terms of licensable activities and hours applied for;

·               Proposed strategy for managing on-site security and safety;

·               Proposed traffic management strategy surrounding the site;

·               Arrangements with emergency response units including on-site ambulance, police and tow truck on call, noise complaints number;

·               Consultation undertaken with Parish Council in organising event;

·               Plans for access passes to be issued to local residents, alongside crew, artists, etc, to minimise disruption for local vehicles;

·               Management of delivery and tour vehicles in accessing the site;

·               Appointment of Designated Premises Supervisor to manage bars at event;

·               Training and briefings for staff, including communications, emergency, security and safety strategies to be implemented;

·               Sound management strategy to be implemented on-site;

·               Stewarded routes into the village, ensuring Honeyfest traffic is diverted away from residential area;

·               250 tickets sold through local vendors, suggesting broad local support for event; and that

·               Event is intended to be a one-off, family-friendly, daytime affair.

During the course of asking questions of the applicant, Mr John Dunford, a local businessman, produced late material in a surveyors’ plan of Honeystreet, with the intention of using this to illustrate public and private rights of way to the Sub-Committee. The material was accepted by the applicant and added to the material for consideration by the Sub-Committee.

Key points raised by the Responsible Authority, Helen Pinchen, Wiltshire Council Environmental Health Officer, were:

·               Noise levels had been negotiated between the organisers and the Responsible Authority and that these were to be included as a condition to the licence in order to satisfy Wiltshire Council’s Public Protection Team.

The Sub-Committee then adjourned for a short break at 12.35pm. Upon reconvening at 1.05pm, the Sub-Committee heard oral representations from the interested parties:

Key points raised by the Interested Parties Mr Hepworth from Alton Parish Council, Mr Fletcher, Mrs Fletcher, Mr Collinson, Mr Dunford, Mr Lewis, Ms Fielden and Mr Reiss were:

·               Limited consultation with local people, and concerns raised not addressed in plans;

·               Ticket sales exceed the Parish Council’s recommendation of no more than 1000 persons on site;

·               Traffic pressures on local roads to be expected with number of visitors, and potential pedestrian dangers associated with this;

·               Disruption to local traffic movement due to increased traffic;

·               Increased traffic anticipated to be present over several days, including the movements of large good vehicles and the suitability of local roads for these;

·               Impact on local businesses, such as the sawmill, of increased traffic  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.