Agenda item

To determine an application for a Premises Licence in respect of 24 hour festival, Grange Farm, Bratton Road, West Ashton, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 6AX.

 

Application by Ryan Allcott and Jack Clink for a Premises Licence at Grange Farm, West Ashton, Trowbridge.

 

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, and those who had made a relevant representation were given the opportunity to address the Sub Committee.

 

Key points raised by the applicants, Ryan Allcott and Jack Clink, and on behalf of the applicants by Frank Fender, FJF Licensing Solutions, were:

 

·       The location has held other events in the past, at least one of which obtained a premises license.

·       Although the event itself has been marketed as a ’24 hour festival’, the licensing activities in this application were not for the full 24 hours and did not commence until 1pm.

·       It was highlighted that the applicants had submitted an event management plan, a stewarding plan and a noise management plan; they had also met with an Environment Officer to ensure the noise created by the event was minimised and there would be a direct telephone line throughout the event for local people to raise noise and other concerns.

·       The intent of the applicants was to work with local people, including West Ashton Parish Council. It was also explained that the applicants had intended to contact the Parish Council at the earliest stage of festival planning but that there had been communication difficulties.

·       The applicants were willing to attend an Event Safety Advisory Group (ESAG) and to follow ensuing advice. Aim to have smooth running event. Do not wish to inconvenience local people.

·       No Responsible Authority had made a relevant representation and the Event Safety Advisory Group (ESAG) recently requested by the Police was welcomed by the applicants.

 

Key points raised by those who made a relevant representation, Richard Covington and Nicola Duke, West Ashton Parish Council, were:

 

·       A lack of clarity regarding the number of attendees and the hours of the event.

·       Potential traffic issues at the entrance to the site. It was confirmed that the event would use appropriate signage, warning road users to drive slowly as well as stewards monitoring the entrance. In addition, Highways issues were expected to be raised at the Event Safety Advisory Group.

·       The Parish Council would have liked the opportunity to give feedback on the site management plan.

·       The level of noise generated by previous events on the site and concerns about recurring events. 

·       The length of time requested for a license to sell alcohol.

·       Contingency plan if people arrive at festival if it’s sold out.

·       The predicted number of attendees which was twice as many as previous events on the site.

·       The number of vehicles potentially entering the village during the event and the speed of traffic surrounding the site entrance. The Chairman permitted the applicants to answer on this point and it was explained that there was a contingency plan for the arrival of vehicles that would allow exit from the main rain in a timely fashion. It was also noted that the question of highway safety would be addressed at the proposed Event Safety Advisory Group (ESAG).

 

The parties were given the opportunity to ask questions of the applicants and the following issues were addressed:

 

·       Richard Covington asked why the application requested a license to sell alcohol until 4am when the music would finish at 2am. It was noted that other systems were in place to ensure no excessive drinking would take place, including refusing service to intoxicated individuals. The applicants explained that the reasoning behind this was to encourage a gradual exit of attendees from the event; this was believed to be a safer method of crowd dispersal.

·       More detail was requested regarding the nature of the live music and it was confirmed that the event would only consist of DJ sets using recorded music. The applicants explained that the manipulation of records by DJs, for example ‘scratching’ the discs, was classified as live music.

·       The maximum number of attendees was requested and it was confirmed that the sold out figure was 3,000. If all tickets were sold, the applicants clarified that a sold out notice would be circulated.

·       Following enquiries about the provision of water at the event, it was explained that there would be free water available upon request at the bars on site and bottled water on sale. It was also noted that there were taps to provide free water at the campsite.

·       Following earlier mention of leaflet distribution to local residents with a telephone number for the event, it was clarified that the applicants intended this telephone line to be monitored at all times during the event and were amenable to this being conditioned.

 

The following questions were asked of those who had made relevant representations:

·       Clarification was sought regarding the exact location of the speed limit signs on the road adjacent to the site entrance. The representative from West Ashton Parish Council clarified that there was a 30 mile per hour speed limit sign shortly after the entrance. The applicants disputed this location and identified it as a key issue for the Event Safety Advisory Group (ESAG).

·       It was enquired why West Ashton Parish Council did not object to an event on the same site that was due to take place in July. The representatives explained that this was due to the smaller size and the ‘family friendly’ nature of the July event.

 

Richard Covington, West Ashton Parish Council, made the following points in summation:

·       West Ashton Parish Council was concerned about the access to the site considering the potential number of attendees.

·       Alcohol would be on sale for a long period of time, especially after the event, which would be problematic especially considering that many people would be unable to drive.

·       There were concerns about the noise generated by the event.

 

The applicants, Ryan Allcott and Jack Clink, and Frank Fender, FJF Licensing Solutions on behalf of the applicants, made the following points in summation:

·       The license was time-limited and, although larger than past events held at the site, the relevant Responsible Authorities have all received copies of the licensing application, with details of alcohol provision and expected attendance, and no representations had been submitted.

 

The Sub Committee members retired at 1.50pm to consider the application and were accompanied by the Solicitor for Wiltshire Council and the Democratic Services Officers.

 

The Hearing reconvened at 2.20pm.

 

Following the deliberations of the Sub Committee Members, the Solicitor for the Council confirmed that there was no specific material legal advice given in closed session. 

 

Resolved:

 

The Western Area Licensing Sub Committee resolved to GRANT the Premises Licence for Field Trip Festival, Grange Farm, Bratton Road, West Ashton, Trowbridge, as detailed below:

 

 

Licensable Activity	Timings	Days
Provision of regulated entertainment   Live music (In and outdoors)   Recorded music (In and outdoors) Performance of dance (In and outdoors) Anything of a similar description (In and outdoors)	13:00 – 00:00   00:00 – 02:00	Saturday 12 September   Sunday 13 September
Provision of late night refreshment (In and outdoors)	23:00 – 00:00 00:00 – 05:00	Saturday 12 September Sunday 13 September
Sale by retail of alcohol (On the Premises)	13:00 – 00:00 00:00 – 04:00	Saturday 12 September Sunday 13 September

 

 

Subject to the following additional conditions:

 

1.     The event is to operate at all times in accordance with the event management plan, noise management plan, and stewarding plan as submitted, or as amended with the agreement of the proposed Event Safety Advisory Group (ESAG); any changes to be approved by the Licensing Officer.

 

2.     No more than 3,000 tickets shall be issued for the event and no person other than official event staff shall be admitted to the event without a ticket.

 

3.     There is to be a contact telephone number provided to local residents for the event, This shall be monitored at all times from 12:00 on Saturday 12 September 2015 to 16:00 on Sunday 13 September 2015 and appropriate action taken in response to any calls received.

 

 

Reasons

 

After taking into account the written representations from all parties and the oral arguments received at the hearing, the Sub Committee carefully considered the concerns raised by those who had made representations regarding the application. These concerns related principally to noise and traffic management issues, given the number of attendees expected, the location of the proposed site and the entrance to it. In particular, the Sub Committee considered whether the event management plan put forward by the applicants, in consultation with relevant authorities would appropriately address those concerns and satisfy the licensing objectives.

 

Regarding concerns over the size of the event, it was noted that the applicants had stated that they anticipated an audience in the region of 2,000 – 3,000. In order to address concerns about public safety, it was considered appropriate to include a condition limiting the capacity to 3,000 people.

 

It was noted that a noise management plan and sound control measures formed part of the application and that the applicants had also agreed to provide a complaint hot-line, which the Sub Committee expected to be staffed and answered. It was considered appropriate to include this as a condition to address the concerns that had been raised regarding public nuisance. It was also noted that arrival and departure times at the site were conditioned in the event management plan.

 

Regarding concerns over public safety, it was noted that the applicants had engineered a system for efficient entry onto the site and that an Event Safety Advisory Group was proposed.

 

As such, the Sub Committee considered appropriate conditions were in place to promote the licensing objectives.

 

The Sub Committee also considered the relevant provisions of the Licensing Act 2003 (in particular Sections 4 and 18); the guidance issued under Section 182 of the Act and the Licensing Policy of Wiltshire Council.

 

 

Right to Appeal

 

All parties have the right to appeal to the Magistrates Court within 21 days of receipt of this decision.  Any person has the right to request a Review of the Licence, in accordance with the provisions of section 51 of the Licensing Act 2003.