The Licensing Sub-Committee of Redbridge Council was scheduled to consider an application for a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) for Monal, a restaurant located at 407 Ilford Lane, Ilford. The committee was also set to review the procedure for licensing hearings.

Application for a Temporary Event Notice: Monal, 407 Ilford Lane, Ilford, IG1 2SN

The main item scheduled for discussion was a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) submitted by Mr. Hafiz Syed Ahmed Hassan, director of Monal Restaurant Limited, for the premises at Monal, 407 Ilford Lane, Ilford, IG1 2SN. The notice requested permission for licensable activities, specifically the provision of late-night refreshment, to take place between Thursday 26 February 2026 and Wednesday 4 March 2026, from 23:00 hours to 05:00 hours each day.

The application described the event as a response to the needs of the local Muslim community during the holy month of Ramadan, aiming to provide pre-dawn meals known as Sehri (or Suhoor). The applicant stated that this request was purely seasonal and community-focused, with a commitment to operating responsibly and minimising disturbance.

However, an objection notice was received from the Community Protection Task Force (CPTF), acting as Environmental Health (Noise). The CPTF raised concerns that granting the TEN could undermine the licensing objectives of preventing public nuisance and public safety. Their objections highlighted several issues, including:

• The high level of vehicle and pedestrian traffic on Ilford Lane during late nights and early hours.
• The proximity of the premises to residential properties, including flats above shops and houses on Ilford Lane and adjacent side roads.
• Concerns about patrons parking in side streets due to limited designated parking, potentially leading to noise disturbances from shouting, car doors slamming, and music from vehicles at 05:00 hours.
• Historic increases in complaints regarding noise and anti-social behaviour during the requested period.
• The premises being located within the Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ), where framework hours for restaurants are generally earlier than those requested.
• Potential disturbance from delivery drivers, including noise from mopeds, obstruction of pavements and highways, and loud conversations.

The report pack outlined the procedure for Temporary Event Notice hearings, detailing the order of business, including the presentation of the case by the applicant and any responsible authorities making representations, followed by questioning and summing up. The Sub-Committee was to consider the TEN, the objections received, and then determine the matter. The report also noted that the premises do not hold a premises license.

The report recommended that the Sub-Committee decide whether to allow the Temporary Event to take place or to issue a counter notice. The legal implications of the Human Rights Act 1998, particularly concerning the peaceful enjoyment of possessions and the right to a fair hearing, were also noted.

Procedure for Licensing Hearings

The committee was also scheduled to review the Procedure for Licensing Hearings, which outlines the steps involved in considering Temporary Event Notices. This procedure details how the Chair will explain the process, how an officer will present a factual summary, and the order in which the Sub-Committee will consider evidence from the applicant and responsible authorities. It also specifies the process for summing up and the subsequent private decision-making. This procedure is governed by the Licensing Act 2003 and the Statutory Guidance issued by the Home Office.