Agenda, decisions and minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Committee held on 12 April 2022 be confirmed and signed.

None.

In the matter of this application for the variation of Premises Licences,the Committee has considered all the relevant representations made by all parties.

The Committee has made the following determination to ensure the promotion of the licensing objectives in accordance with the provisions of the Secretary of State’s guidance and the principles of our licensing policy:

With a view to ensuring the promotion of the licensing objectives, in accordance with the provisions of the statutory guidance and the principles of our licensing policy, the applications were AGREED.

In coming to a determination the Committee considered the following matters:

1    The Committee noted the claim that the applicant had been organising events in Beckenham Place Park since 2019 and had received positive feedback from local authorities. The application was within the licensing policy and reflected previous engagement with the responsible authorities

2.    Members noted that a small number of objections had been received from local residents. The applicant had increased contact with residents and a community liaison officer had been appointed to ensure that residents were given the opportunity to raise any concerns with Krankbrother. Two residents’ meetings had been held since the last event in 2021. Two more meetings were planned before the next event

3.    Krankbrother identified noise as a major issue for residents, so a new noise management plan had been created to help reduce local disturbance. The plan self imposes a low frequency limit. The P A direction had been changed, the site design had changed, monitoring locations had increased, and output from speakers would be reduced.

4.    Members of the Committee noted that Krankbrother paid a large damage deposit every year to the park.

5.   Members of the Committee noted the representation made by Councillor Wells, ward member for Copers Cope in the London Borough of Bromley. Residents had endured noise from music in the park which could be heard several miles away, particularly the base. Councillor Wells welcomed Krankbrother’s attempts at mitigation of noise issues and the new noise plan which addressed many of the residents’ issues.

6.   It was also noted that complaints had been received from local residents who had endured anti-social behaviour, defecation and urination in residents’ front gardens at events held in 2019. More policing and marshalling of the area was required. The closure of several roads around the park was welcomed to ease the problem of parking for residents.

7    Members of the Committee noted that Councillor Wells objected to the application because he did not have confidence in the applicant’s ability to marshal and police a 50% increase in the numbers of people attending events in Beckenham Place Park.

8.    Representations opposing these applications had not been received from the Metropolitan Police or any other responsible authorities and it was agreed that by granting these applications, the four licensing objectives would be upheld.

3.1      The Chair welcomed all parties to the Licensing Committee. She introduced those present, and outlined the procedure to be followed for the meeting. She then invited the Crime Enforcement and Regulations Officer to introduce the applications.

            Crime, Enforcement and Regulation Officer  

3.2     The Crime Enforcement and Regulations (CER) Officer said that the application was in relation to representations that had been received with regard to two full variation applications from Krankbrothers for events to take place in Beckenham Place Park BR3 5BS. She outlined the current licensed activities at the premises and the applications applied for. Eleven applications had been received from interested parties including two local councillors.

3.3      Ms Spall then outlined the powers available to members when making their decision.

            Applicant

3.4      Mr Clancy then addressed the Committee. He made the following points:

• Krankbrother had been organising events in Beckenham Place Park since 2019 and had received positive feedback from local authorities. The audience was predominantly young people from the greater London area and a large number from the immediate area of the park.
• The events in Beckenham Place Park had had a low impact on the community and there had been positive engagement with that community and the responsible authorities. Krankbrothers had responded to issues when brought to their attention.
• The application was within the licensing policy and reflected previous engagement with the responsible authorities.
• Representations opposing this application had not been received from the Metropolitan Police, responsible authorities, the noise control teams or the nuisance teams within Lewisham. Krankbrothers believed that this was due to the confidence that authorities had in the way their events operated, the low impact of previous shows and robust licensing conditions.
• A small number of objections had been received from local residents. Krankbrothers were very committed to liaising with local residents. Mr Butterfield had been appointed as a community liaison officer. Two residents’ meetings had been held since the last event in 2021. Two more meetings were planned before the next event. Following the number of noise complaints last year, communication with residents had gone a long way to improving relations and trust.
• A new noise management plan had been created to help reduce local disturbance. The plan self-imposed a low frequency limit. The P A direction had been changed, the site design had changed, monitoring locations had increased, and output from speakers would be reduced.
• Noise was not expected to increase because of an increase in capacity.
• Krankbrothers pay £25k damage deposit every year to the park. Last year £18k was paid for restoration costs. They work closely with the park team and ensure that any damages following an event is addressed.
• Communication with residents had increased considerably and a contact address had been given to ensure that they had the opportunity to contact Krankbrothers and raise any concerns if necessary.

3.5      Councillor Brown asked for more information about road closures and how they would work. He also asked Mr Butterfield whether anyone had engaged with any of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.