To appoint a Chairman for the Panel hearing.

Councillor Mier was duly appointed as Chairman of the Panel for the hearing.

Lakedown Trout Fishery, Swife Lane, Broad Oak, Heathfield, East Sussex, TN21 8UX (WK202013005)

Consideration was given to the report of the Head of Service Environmental Services, Licensing and Community Safety that gave details of an application for a premises licence for Lakedown Trout Fishery, Swife Lane, Broad Oak, Heathfield, for the licensable activity of the sale of alcohol (on and off sales) from Monday to Sunday 12:00 to 21:00hrs, with reduced hours from October to March to 18:00hrs. 25 representations had been made in relation to the application, 10 in support and 15 in regard to the licensing objectives of public safety and the prevention of public nuisance.

Prior to the commencement of the hearing, the Deputy Legal Services Manager gave advice to the Applicants and the representors regarding the grounds on which the licensing application could be considered.

The Chairman welcomed all who were present and gave general advice in regard to the hearing. The Panel then proceeded to hear the case following the adopted procedure and all parties present at the hearing were invited to address the Panel.

The Panel heard from Mark Randolph, Senior Environmental Health Licensing Officer, who presented the report of the Head of Service Environmental Services, Licensing and Community Safety, detailing the application and then from Asitha Ranatunga, Cornerstone Barristers, who presented the case for the application.

The Panel heard from the two representors present, Robert Banks and Ian Franks, who detailed their concerns, primarily in relation to public safety and public nuisance in terms of increased traffic to and from the premises, noise of patrons leaving the premises and protection of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. All letters of representation were given the Panel’s full consideration.

The Panel deliberated the application, which was determined having regard to the licensing objectives, together with the Guidance under Section 182 of the Licensing Act and the local Licensing Policy and retired to make their decision in private session. 

RESOLVED: That the application for a Premises Licence be granted as set out in Appendix 1.