Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence and notices of Substitution (if any).

There were no apologies for absence.

To elect a Chairman for the Hearing.

RESOLVED that Cllr R J Chesterton be elected Chairman of the Sub Committee for the meeting.

Cllr Chesterton then took the Chair.

To receive a report from the Head of Human Resources and Development. An application has been received for a new premises licence for Knightshayes, Tiverton, Devon, EX16 7RQ. Relevant representations have been received. Accordingly, Mid Devon District Council as the licensing authority is obliged to hold a hearing to determine the application.

Consideration was given to a report * from the Head Human Resources and Development containing relevant information in relation to an application that had been received for a new premises licence for Knightshayes.

The Members and Officers introduced themselves.

Members of the Sub Committee declared no interests in respect of the application.

The Sub Committee agreed that the hearing be held in public.

The Lead Licensing Officer outlined the contents of the report making reference to the representation received from the Police as a Responsible Authority as well as representations received from two Other Persons, Mrs Helen Mead and Ms Frances Thomson. He stated that Mrs Helen Mead would be represented at the Hearing by her solicitor Mr Graham Gover but that Ms Thomson would not be present due to other commitments. He informed those present that a revised plan had been submitted by the Applicant which had reduced the outside area for which a licence was sought as well as a letter offering additional conditions. This had been circulated to the Members of the Sub Committee. He also stated that a site visit had taken place the previous day with all Members of the Sub Committee being present.

The Applicant, National Trust (Enterprises) Ltd, was represented by Mr Jon Payne from Horsey Lightly Fynn. He stated that the premises already had a licence for part of the estate but that this application sought to extend the areas to be licensed however these had been too large to be dealt with by way of a minor variation. The National Trust had decided to apply for a full licence as they had done for approximately 250 of their properties but it was not the intention to hold major events, such as large scale concerts, at this site. Seeking a fuller licence would enable the Trust to have greater flexibility when organising smaller events and the example of being able to erect a Pimm’s or Champagne marquee was given.  A list of forthcoming events was circulated to those present which was described as providing a flavour of the type of events the Trust would like to hold in the future.

The Events Manager for Knightshayes, Ms Alice Morgan Brown, stated that the events in the brochure were centred around the school holidays and were designed to attract local families as well as holiday makers. She also made reference to a community theatre production and family workshop but stated that numbers would be limited due to available space and a duty of care. It was stated that it was not the intention to hold large scale ‘pop concerts’ as given any such event would need to be sited near to the visitor facilities the available amount of space around these would naturally limit the size of any event. The Sub Committee questioned why the Trust was seeking a new licence when the existing licence would allow them to hold the events in the brochure? Mr Payne responded by saying that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.