Issue - meetings

Report of the Director of Planning and Development attached.

The Director of Planning and Development submitted a report for the Licensing Act 2003 Sub-Committee to advise members of an application for a premises licence in respect of Astley Park, Park Road, Chorley. The application was brought for determination by Members as a relevant representation had been received.

Mr. Andrew Daniels, the Service Lead for Communications and Visitor Economy at Chorley Borough Council was present at the hearing as a representative for the applicant.

The Enforcement Team Leader (Licensing) presented the report and explained that an application for a new premises licence was submitted by Chris Sinnott, Deputy Chief Executive, for and on behalf of Chorley Borough Council on 7 June 2022. The application sought to license the whole area of the park, an extensive area, incorporating a lake, tennis courts and bowling green, a large playing and wooded area. The application was advertised in accordance with the regulations, in that a notice was displayed across the premises for the whole 28-day consultation period, a notice was posted in a local newspaper and the application had been published on the Council’s website. Within the application, the Applicant had outlined the steps that would be taken to promote the four

licensing objectives.

The Enforcement Team Leader (Licensing) explained that during the consultation period, a representation had been received from Mr. Trafford of Deerfold, Astley Village, Chorley. The representation related to the Prevention of Public Nuisance objective. A copy of the representation was included at Appendix 3 for Members consideration. Although Mr. Trafford was not present at the hearing, Members were advised that the representation was relevant, and they would need to decide what weight to afford to the statement when making their decision.

The Applicant sought to authorise the following licensable activities:

In response to a member enquiry, the Enforcement Team Leader (Licensing) confirmed that recent events at the park had taken place using a Temporary Events Notice (TENs).

Mr. Daniels, on behalf of the applicant, explained to members that the application was to replace the existing licence as it was not fit for purpose. The area covered within the existing licence did not fit with the Council’s events programme and Officers had now tried to regularize the activity that takes place within the park. A new licence would make the planning of events more efficient, without the need to apply for various TENs. Significant investment had also been made at Astley Hall and the Council had appointed a Wedding Officer, which was currently restricted as officers need  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7