Agenda, decisions and minutes

Nominations for a Chairman of the Licensing Sub Committee were sought and it was

Resolved:

To elect Councillor Allison Bucknell as Chairman for this meeting only.

The Chairman explained the procedure to be followed at the hearing, as contained within the “Wiltshire Licensing Committee Procedural Rules for the Hearing of Licensing Act 2003 Applications” (Pages 5 – 11 of the Agenda refers).

To receive any declarations of disclosable interests or dispensations granted by the Standards Committee.

To consider and determine an application for a Premises Licence in respect of Wadswick Green Retirement Village, Corsham, Wiltshire, SN13 9RD made by Wadswick Green Limited.  The report of the Public Protection Officer (Licensing) is attached.

Application by Wadswick Green Limited for a Premises Licence at Wadswick Green Retirement Village, Corsham, Wiltshire

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 those who had made a Relevant Representation were given the opportunity to address the Sub Committee.

Key points raised by Mr S Gooden of Standley & Co Solicitors on behalf of the Applicant were:

·               That Wadswick Green was a collection of a retirement homes with a difference.  The average ages of occupants were 55 to 75 and the aim of the development was to provide high quality amenities to its residents and visitors;

·               The Greenhouse restaurant would primarily cater for the residents of Wadswick Green and their families, but it would also be open to the public with priority being given to residents;

·               In recognition of the concerns raised by those who had made relevant representations the Applicant wished to amend the application so that the premises was only open to 00:00 hours and not 01:00 as applied for;

·               It was hoped to use the terrace areas for concerts or plays and the timings were requested to allow for any performances that might over run from the normal licensing times;

·               The Applicant was extremely conscious of local residents and wanted to work with them so as not to cause to disturbance and for them to use the facilities; and

·               There was no intention to have a dancefloor or run the premises as a nightclub facility; its function was to serve the residents of Wadswick Green.

Key points raised by Peter Ford, Chairman of Rangeford Holdings (Developers) on behalf of the Applicant were:

·                It was planned that 247 apartments would be built once the development was completed.  Apartments first went on sale in May 2015 and at present there were around 35 residents; and

·                The Greenhouse restaurant would be unlikely to attract younger members of the public to the premises if they did not have any family living at Wadswick Green.

Key points raised by Mr Jose Afonso, Personal Licence Holder on behalf of the Applicant were:

·                He was the General Manager of the premises and he had been a personal licence holder for 9 years and had been involved in a number of high end events and so was well experienced; and

·                He accepted that there were noise concerns from local residents but assured that they should not be affected by any of the events planned for the premises and there were no loud music concerts planned.

The parties were given the opportunity to ask questions of the Applicant as follows:

How many residents were there at Wadswick?

There were currently 112 homes ready and 24 of these were occupied – this was the 1^st phase of development.  The target was to provide 247 homes.

You said for example that you would not take a booking  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.