Agenda item

The Licensing Officer informed members that an application had been received from Shindig Productions Ltd to hold a music festival at Gilcombe Farm, Bruton from 24^th to 28^th May 2018.  She noted the licensable activities listed in the report and confirmed that the required notices had been displayed and advertised in a local newspaper.  The expected attendance for the event was 6,500 persons at any one time, including members of staff. On Thursday 24 May 2018, there would be a limited opening to a maximum of 500 camping guests.  She concluded by outlining the options available to the Sub-Committee and the right of appeal open to the applicants.

The Sub-Committee were then addressed by the Senior Environmental Protection Officer who outlined the allowable noise levels at different parts of the day, his involvement in previous festivals at the site and their noise level conditions.  He concluded that due to the rural nature of the site, there would always be some audibility in the local area. 

The Sub-Committee were then addressed by Mr S Clark, Mr D Hurring and Mr M Jephcott in support of the application.  They referred to proposed changes to the positioning of some of the music venues to mitigate noise, the availability of a sound engineer throughout the night and the distribution of a noise information sheet to local households. 

The Committee was addressed by Mr C Wildridge, Chairman of Batcombe Parish Council and Cllr D Skidmore, District Councillor for the Postlebury ward of Mendip District Council.  They referred to the increase in the number of days the festival would be held and the increase in the hours of music to 4.00am on some days and asked that conditions be placed on the license to minimise the disruption to the village. 

Members of the Sub-Committee were given the opportunity to ask questions.

All Parties confirmed that they were satisfied with the conduct of the hearing.

The Licensing Officer and Parties with the exception of the Legal Specialist and the Democratic Services Specialist, attending in advisory capacity only, withdrew from the meeting to allow the members of the Sub-Committee to consider their decision in private.

Members of the Sub-Committee considered their decision in private session and were mindful of the advice given to them by the Legal Specialist.

When the meeting reconvened, the Chairman informed those present at the hearing of the decision of the Licensing Sub-Committee:

The Licensing Sub-Committee resolved to GRANT the application for a premises licence for land at Gilcombe Farm, Bruton, for Shindig Productions Ltd under section 18 of the Licensing Act 2003 subject to the following conditions to promote the licensing objective(s) of the prevention of crime and disorder/public safety/the prevention of public nuisance and the protection of children.

1.    The relevant mandatory conditions under the Licensing Act 2003;

2.    Conditions consistent with the applicant’s Operating Schedule with the exception of the following amendments;

a)    The days and hours for the supply of alcohol, for the relevant bars, shall be as set out in the Operating Schedule with the following amendments to Saturday 00.01 to 02.00 and Sunday 00.01 to 02.00.

b)    The days and hours for the regulated entertainment, at the various venues, shall be as set out in the Operating Schedule with the following amendments to Saturday 00.01 to 02.00 and Sunday 00.01 to 02.00 at the Ghetto Funk Nightclub and Storyland.

The Licensing Sub-Committee were mindful that there were no objections from the Responsible Authorities, however, it took into account the concerns from Other Parties and the peaceful enjoyment of residents homes and agreed to limit the hours for the supply of alcohol and regulated entertainment to finish 02.00hours on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

All parties are reminded that there is a right of appeal against the decision of the Licensing Authority.  Such an appeal is to be made within 21 days of the date of receipt of the formal Notice of Determination, and should be made to the South Somerset Magistrates Court.