Agenda and minutes

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

Apologies were received from Mrs B M Hull who was substituted by Cllr Mrs F J Colthorpe and from D J Knowles who was substituted by Cllr N V Davey.

To elect a Chairman for the Hearing.

RESOLVED that Cllr N V Davey be elected as Chairman of the Sub Committee for the meeting.

Cllr Davey 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 Hayne Barn, Zeal Monachorum, Devon, EX17 6DE. 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 of Human Resources and Development containing relevant information with regard to an application that had been received for a new premises licence for Hayne Barn, Zeal Monachorum, Devon.

The Members and Officers introduced themselves.

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

The Public Health and Professional Services Manager outlined the contents of the report. A description of the premises was provided and he explained that the intention stated was to use the premises for events such as weddings, parties and conferences.  A new extension had been built and roof insulation put in place to restrict noise movement to the outside.  He explained the location of the premises and its proximity to the village.

The days and hours of the application were reported.  The Officer explained that relevant statutory consultations had taken place and that there had been no objections or comments from any responsible authorities, with the exception of Environmental Health.  The 28 day statutory consultation period had resulted in three representations from local residents.

The applicant, Mr Herniman, was invited to make his representation to the Sub Committee.

Mr Herniman explained that it was not his intention to hold a large number of events but that the Licencing Officer had informed him that this type of application was appropriate for his needs. He explained that he had renovated some listed buildings at his property which had resulted in significant expenditure; he therefore needed to use them to generate some income.  He explained that he was a musician and that he was therefore conscious of noise, both incoming and outgoing.  For this reason he had used materials such as roof beams that would help with this, he had also built an extension to prevent noise leaving from the double doors of the barn and had put in place as many noise restrictors as he considered possible

Mr Herniman had purchased the property with the intention of recording music and possibly hosting concerts.  Recent events had included an evening of food with a Michelin Star chef, a Mexican evening and some weddings; an acoustic guitar evening was planned. 

A new entrance had been added at the property so that traffic left directly onto the main road to the village, with clear visibility.  This had been requested by the Highways Authority.

Environmental Health, a responsible authority, was then asked to present their evidence.  The Officer, Mr Richard Keith Hill, reported that there were concerns regarding noise in what was a very quiet rural area.  In order to protect neighbours it was recommended that the licence have a condition attached which would restrict noise levels to +5 decibels over the normal background level for the area (night and day), as detailed in the report. The Officer explained that this limit was very low.

Representations from interested parties were then invited.  Mr B Hollingsworth, representing his wife Mrs J Hollingsworth, a local resident and objector, explained that though they did  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.