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New house plans decided in Southwark Planning Committee.

This week in Southwark:

The Licensing Sub-Committee considered applications for new premises licences for a cinema and bar at 10 Bermondsey Square, and a nightclub in a railway arch at 30 Manor Place.
The Planning Committee (Smaller Applications) considered two planning applications in the borough, one for the construction of a new house on Plough Way and one for the construction of a new house and annex on Eastlands Crescent.

Licensing Sub-Committee - Thursday 12 September 2024

This meeting was scheduled to consider two applications for new premises licences. One for a cinema and bar at 10 Bermondsey Square, and the second for a nightclub in a railway arch at 30 Manor Place. As regular readers will know, the Licensing Sub-Committee is responsible for considering applications for a wide variety of licences within the borough, under the terms of the Licensing Act 2003.¹ The committee has the power to grant new licences, vary existing licences, and revoke licences where it is deemed necessary. In considering licence applications, the committee must have regard to the licensing objectives, which are:

the prevention of crime and disorder;
public safety;
the prevention of public nuisance; and
the protection of children from harm.

The Arzner, 10 Bermondsey Square, SE1 3UN

This application was made by Revolting on Screen Ltd.

The application proposed:

The screening of films and plays
The provision of live and recorded music
The performance of dance
The sale of alcohol for consumption on and off the premises
Late night refreshment
Opening hours from 10:00 to 23:00 Sunday to Wednesday, and from 10:00 to 00:00 Thursday to Saturday.

This report was provided to the attendees for the meeting after representations made by Southwark Council's Trading Standards and Licensing teams were withdrawn because the applicant agreed to their proposed conditions. This is not uncommon in licensing matters, as applicants will often agree to conditions in order to avoid their application being refused. The committee will usually be more likely to grant a licence if all of the relevant parties are in agreement.

The report pack details representations from three other persons. One from the Bermondsey Square Recognised Tenants Association and two from residents of the area. The representations were made on the grounds of the prevention of public nuisance. In particular, they expressed concern about music pollution, litter and light pollution from the venue and patrons. They asked that the application be rejected, or if that was not possible, that the council impose additional conditions to protect residents' amenity. It is important to note that the Licensing Sub-Committee is not obliged to follow the recommendations of those who make representations. However, it must consider all representations carefully before making a decision.

Barrio Latino, Arch 183, 30 Manor Place, London SE17 3BB.

This application was made by Barrio Latino Management Limited. It requested permission for the venue to be used as a nightclub, with the following hours:

The sale by retail of alcohol (on sales only):
- Sunday and Thursday: 16:00 to 02:30
- Friday and Saturday: 16:00 to 03:30
The provision of late night refreshment (indoors):
- Sunday and Thursday from 23:30 to 02:30
- Friday and Saturday from 23:30 to 03:30
The provision of regulated entertainment in the form of recorded music (indoors) and anything similar:
- Sunday and Thursday from 23:30 to 02:30
- Friday and Saturday from 23:30 to 03:30
Opening Hours:
- Sunday and Thursday from 16:00 to 03:00
- Friday and Saturday from 16:00 to 04:00.

This report was provided to the attendees of the meeting after an initial application for a licence for a venue named 'Level High' in the same arch was rejected because it was incomplete. It is not uncommon for applicants to make multiple applications for the same premises, particularly if their initial application is unsuccessful.

The report pack contains details of all of the representations that were made on this application. The Metropolitan Police Service Licensing Division said that because the venue is in a densely residential area, it is not suitable to operate as a nightclub. They went on to say that the proposed conditions were insufficient to address their concerns and that the granting of the licence with these hours would have a detrimental impact on the community. Southwark Council's Environmental Protection team said they were concerned that granting the licence would cause significant public nuisance from noise. They asked for a noise impact assessment, which at the time of the meeting had not been provided. They also asked for the applicant to prepare a people management plan to manage the flow of patrons to and from the venue. Southwark Council's Trading Standards team said that the conditions offered in the application are insufficient to meet the licensing objective of the protection of children from harm. They proposed four additional conditions to require the venue to implement a 'Challenge 25' age verification policy and keep records of staff training and refused sales. Southwark Council's Licensing team said that they object to the application because the hours requested were significantly outside those recommended in the council's Statement of Licensing Policy 2021-2026. Ten residents also submitted representations about this application. Their representations made similar points to those made by the Metropolitan Police, and also expressed concern that the venue had already been operating without a licence. This is something that is taken very seriously by the Licensing Sub-Committee, as it shows a disregard for the licensing regime.

The report pack provides details of the Temporary Event Notices that were granted for the premises over the past year, including 11 that were granted to Mr Jose Manuel Perez De La Cruz, and three to Mr Sergio Esteban Perez De La Cruz. Mr Sergio Esteban Perez De La Cruz is the proposed Designated Premises Supervisor for the venue. The fact that Temporary Event Notices have previously been granted for the premises does not necessarily mean that a full premises licence will be granted. Temporary Event Notices are intended to allow for one-off events, whereas a premises licence allows for the regular carrying on of licensable activities.

The report also includes a statement from a council enforcement officer that he visited the venue at 02:30 on 13 July 2024 and found it operating as a nightclub, despite not having a premises licence. The officer spoke to Mr Sergio Esteban Perez De La Cruz, who was in charge of the venue at the time, and issued a notice requiring the venue to stop trading. The report includes details of a warning letter that was later sent to Barrio Latino Management Limited. This is likely to be a significant factor in the Licensing Sub-Committee's decision-making process, as it suggests that the applicant may not be a fit and proper person to hold a premises licence.

Planning Committee (Smaller Applications) - Monday 09 September 2024

This meeting of the Planning Committee (Smaller Applications) was scheduled to consider planning applications for two sites in the borough: 67 Plough Way and 9-29 Eastlands Crescent. The meeting was also scheduled to approve the minutes of the previous meeting which was held on 30 July 2024. You may remember that was the meeting at which the committee considered the controversial application to demolish and redevelop the existing building at Friars Close. These applications were for much smaller developments. This committee is one of two Planning Committees in Southwark. The other, the Planning Committee (Major Applications) is responsible for considering larger, more complex applications.

67 Plough Way

A planning application (reference: 23/AP/3428) was submitted by Mr Darryl Henson, seeking permission to construct a single-storey, one-bedroom house fronting onto Greenland Quay and Cunard Walk on a vacant plot of land behind No. 65 and No. 67 Plough Way. This is what is often referred to as 'infill' development, because it involves developing a small, unused or underused plot of land within an existing urban area. In London, where there is significant pressure on housing, these kinds of developments are often viewed favourably by councils, as they can provide new homes without the need to build on greenfield land. However, infill developments can also be controversial, as they can sometimes have a negative impact on the character of an area, or lead to a loss of privacy for neighbouring properties.

The application site is unusual, wrapping around the back of the garden of the neighbouring No. 65 Plough Way. This kind of awkwardly shaped site is quite common in London, particularly in areas that have been developed over a long period of time. This is one reason why this type of development often attracts objections from neighbours: they often involve building very close to the boundaries of the site, which can impact on neighbours' light and privacy.

The report submitted to the committee recommended that planning permission be granted for the development, subject to conditions and the completion of a Section 106 agreement. ² This is a common outcome for planning applications. It means that the council is minded to approve the application, but only if the applicant agrees to certain conditions, such as providing affordable housing or making a financial contribution to local infrastructure.

Eighteen objections to the application were received from neighbours. This is not an unusually high number of objections for a planning application of this size. Objections from neighbours are one of the most common reasons why planning applications are refused.

The main issues that the report said were to be considered by the committee were:

The principle of development
Affordable housing
Quality of residential accommodation
Fire safety
Design and layout
Landscaping and trees
Impact of the proposed development on the amenity of the adjoining occupiers and surrounding area
Transport and highways
Refuse and recycling
Noise and vibration
Energy and sustainability
Ecology and biodiversity
Air quality
Ground conditions and contamination
Water resources and flood risk
Archaeology
Planning obligations (S.106 agreement)
Mayoral and borough community infrastructure levy (CIL) ³

This is a standard list of issues that the Planning Committee (Smaller Applications) would consider when determining a planning application.

The proposed development is located in Canada Water, which has been designated an Opportunity Area by the Mayor of London and is undergoing significant redevelopment. The site is also located within Flood Zone 2, meaning that it has a medium risk of flooding. This means that the applicant will need to demonstrate to the council that they have taken appropriate measures to mitigate the risk of flooding to the development. This might include measures such as raising the ground level of the development, or incorporating flood-resistant materials into the design.

The report highlighted that the proposed development would be car-free, with two cycle parking spaces provided. This was in line with the council's policies of encouraging sustainable transport.

The council's Design and Conservation Team, Transport Policy Team, Ecology Team, Urban Forester, Environmental Protection Team and Flood Risk Management Team were all consulted on the application, which is standard practice.

A Section 106 legal agreement would be entered into to secure the following:

A contribution of 35% of habitable rooms multiplied by £30,000 in the event that the property is disposed of within three years of completion and therefore no longer a self-build. This would secure a financial contribution towards the provision of affordable housing in the borough.
A financial contribution of £7,667 towards the provision of outdoor amenity space in the borough.

This is a relatively common type of Section 106 agreement. The council often seeks to secure financial contributions towards affordable housing and open space through these agreements.

9-29 Eastlands Crescent

A planning application (reference 23/AP/2919) was submitted by Mr Tony Mckinlay, seeking permission to demolish the existing two-storey detached dwelling at 29 Eastlands Crescent, and to construct a new dwelling house and an ancillary 2-bedroom annex, with a basement, single storey side extension and dormers within the rear roof slope. This is a fairly standard type of application for a householder development. Householder applications are those which relate to a single dwellinghouse. They are distinct from applications for flats or other types of residential development.

The report submitted to the committee recommended that planning permission be granted for the development, subject to conditions.

Twenty-five objections were received from neighbours, and two letters of support.

The main issues that the report said were to be considered by the committee were very similar to the list that was considered for 67 Plough Way.

The site is within the Dulwich Village Conservation Area. This means that the council will need to be satisfied that the proposed development preserves or enhances the character or appearance of the conservation area. Conservation areas are areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance. The council has a duty to designate conservation areas under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.

The council's Design and Conservation Team advised that the proposal was appropriate in terms of height, scale and massing.

The council's Ecology Team advised that the proposal was acceptable subject to conditions and recommended that conditions be added to the planning permission for the provision of a bat box. This is a common condition to be attached to planning permissions in order to protect bats, which are a protected species.

The council's Transport Planning Policy Team advised that the proposed development was acceptable in terms of car parking, as it would involve the re-provision of two existing car parking spaces. The team also advised that no parking permits should be issued to future occupiers of the development and that a Section 278 agreement should be entered into to manage any footway resurfacing or replacement works required once works for the proposed development are complete. ⁴

The council's Urban Forester advised that the proposed development was acceptable subject to conditions and recommended conditions for compliance with the Arboricultural Method Statement, the submission of details of landscaping and details of foundation depths.

Thames Water requested a condition requiring the submission of a piling method statement if piling is to take place.

A condition would be added to the planning permission to restrict future occupiers of the development from obtaining on-street parking permits. A condition would also be added to the planning permission to ensure that the annex remains ancillary to the main dwellinghouse. The applicant would be required to enter into a Section 278 agreement to manage any footway resurfacing or replacement required once works for the proposed development are complete.

This summary describes what was scheduled to be discussed during the meeting. It does not describe what was actually discussed or any decisions that may have been made.

The Licensing Act 2003 is an Act of Parliament that governs the sale of alcohol, the provision of late night refreshment and the provision of entertainment in England and Wales. ↩
A Section 106 agreement is a legal agreement between a local planning authority and a developer, which is used to mitigate the impact of a new development on the local area. For example, a Section 106 agreement might require a developer to provide affordable housing, or to make a financial contribution to local infrastructure. ↩
CIL stands for 'Community Infrastructure Levy'. It is a charge that local authorities can choose to impose on new developments in their area. The money raised from the levy must be used to fund infrastructure that is needed to support the development of the area, such as new roads, schools, or parks. ↩
A Section 278 agreement is an agreement between a developer and a highway authority, usually a local authority, which allows the developer to carry out works to the public highway. ↩

Southwark Council: Housing finances & anti-fraud update.

This week in Southwary:

The [Audit, Governance and Standards Committee](http://opencouncil.network/meetings/32095] discussed the financial management, governance and accountability of Southwark Council, including an update on the financial position of the council's Housing Revenue Account.
The Education and Local Economy Scrutiny Commission discussed early intervention for children with special educational needs and disabilities.

Audit, Governance and Standards Committee - Thursday 05 September 2024

This meeting provided an opportunity for the Audit, Governance and Standards Committee to be briefed on a range of issues concerning the financial management, governance and accountability of Southwark Council. The committee received an update on the financial position of the council's Housing Revenue Account (HRA).¹ The report described the actions the council had taken to recover the account, which is currently in deficit, including a reduction in the planned revenue contribution to the council's Housing Investment Programme, which funds the delivery of new homes. Regular readers may recall that the HRA was also reported to be in deficit at the last meeting of this committee on 4 July 2024. You may also recall that in the local elections in May 2022, the Liberal Democrat opposition group criticised the Labour administration's record on council housing, pointing to the state of the HRA as evidence of Labour's poor management. This is therefore likely to be a politically sensitive issue for the council.

The committee also received a report on the activities of the council's Corporate Anti-Fraud Team (CAFT) and Special Investigations Team (SIT) for the first quarter of 2024-25. This report is always of interest as it provides an insight into the types of fraud that are being committed against the council, as well as the council's efforts to combat fraud.

The committee was also asked to approve the Annual Governance Statement for 2023-24, a mandatory document that summarises the council's governance arrangements.

Education and Local Economy Scrutiny Commission - Wednesday 04 September 2024

This meeting was due to include a presentation on early intervention services for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). This is a topic that is likely to be of interest to many residents, as it affects a significant number of children in the borough. The meeting was also to consider its draft work programme for the coming year.

The HRA is a ring-fenced account that local authorities use to manage their council housing stock. The HRA is funded by rents from council tenants and can only be used to pay for council housing services. ↩

Southwark Council: Co-living development on Rye Lane approved?

The Planning Committee (Smaller Applications) met on Tuesday 30 July 2024 to discuss a range of planning applications, including proposals for a co-living development on Rye Lane, an extension to a hostel on Belvedere Place, and the replacement of a sports pavilion on Dulwich Common. The Planning Committee (Major Applications) A met on Wednesday 31 July 2024 and were scheduled to discuss a range of planning applications, including one for the redevelopment of Friars Close and several proposals to release Section 106 funding for projects across the borough. The Licensing Sub-Committee met on Thursday 1 August 2024 to consider a licensing application for The Kernel Taproom at 132 Spa Road.

Planning Committee (Smaller Applications) - Tuesday 30 July 2024

The Planning Committee (Smaller Applications) meeting discussed three planning applications: a proposal for the construction of an 11-room co-living development on land adjacent to Warwick Court, an application for the construction of an upward extension to Friendship House on Belvedere Place, and an application for the demolition of the existing pavilion at Marlborough Cricket Club on Dulwich Common and the erection of a new single storey cricket pavilion. Unfortunately, no transcript of the meeting is available, so it is not possible to report on the outcome of the applications or the discussions that took place.

Planning Committee (Major Applications) A - Wednesday 31 July 2024

Southwark Council’s Planning Committee (Major Applications) A met on Wednesday 31 July 2024. The most significant item on the agenda was an application to demolish the existing four-storey residential building at Friars Close and replace it with a part 9, part 22-storey building containing 149 residential units and two community use units located on the ground floor. The existing building at Friars Close comprises 28 social rented flats. As well as addressing a number of issues with the existing building, the proposed development would increase the number of social rented units on the site to 54, an uplift of 93%. The application was submitted by Leathermarket JMB, who currently manage the site, in partnership with Southwark Council and Optivo. Optivo is one of the largest housing providers in London, managing around 45,000 homes across the capital.

The site is located within the Bankside, Borough and London Bridge Opportunity Area, designated by the London Plan as an area suitable for intensification. The site is also within the Central Activities Zone (CAZ),¹ which the London Plan identifies as London’s geographic, economic, and administrative core. The application pack included a number of technical documents assessing the impact of the proposed development. These concluded that, subject to conditions and obligations, the impact would be acceptable. However, concerns have been raised by the London Fire Brigade about various aspects of the development. The applicant responded to these concerns and the matter was included on the agenda for discussion.

The application pack also contains details of the proposed Section 106 agreement, which would be used to secure planning obligations from the applicant. These would include a requirement for the applicant to provide £66,681.60 towards playspace provision in the local area, £28,000 towards tree planting, and £11,171 towards archaeological works. It would also require the applicant to secure 36 sustained jobs for unemployed Southwark residents during construction, as well as provide 36 short courses and take on nine apprenticeships. No transcript of this meeting is available so we can't know the committee's decision.

Licensing Sub-Committee - Thursday 01 August 2024

The Licensing Sub-Committee met on Thursday 1 August 2024. The meeting was scheduled to include the consideration of an application for a new premises licence by The Kernel Taproom Ltd, at 132 Spa Road, London SE16 3AE. The applicant had originally sought permission for the sale of alcohol on and off the premises from 09:00 to 23:00, Monday to Sunday, and for the premises to be open to the public during the same hours.

Representations were received from a range of bodies, including the Metropolitan Police Service, Trading Standards and Southwark Council's Licensing Authority, as well as 15 residents. The concerns raised related to the potential for crime and disorder, public nuisance, public safety and the protection of children from harm. These concerns appear to have been prompted, at least in part, by the premises' location on the so-called Bermondsey Beer Mile.²

The applicant subsequently agreed to a number of conditions and all of the representations were withdrawn. The conditions included the implementation of the Challenge 25 scheme, the keeping of CCTV records, the implementation of a dispersal policy and staff training, as well as the imposition of a 22:30 closing time for the sale of alcohol. No transcript of the meeting is available, so we cannot be sure whether the committee granted the licence. However, given that all of the representations were withdrawn, it seems likely that they did.

The Central Activities Zone (CAZ) is defined in the London Plan as an area of London which needs to be protected and enhanced as London's main office and service centre. ↩
The Bermondsey Beer Mile is an informal walking route in Bermondsey, South London, that takes in a number of breweries and pubs. ↩

Southwark Council: CPO for Elephant & Castle site?

The Environment Scrutiny Commission meeting was due to be held on Monday 22 July 2024. The Southwark Maternity Commission meeting was due to be held on Wednesday 24 July 2024. The Health and Social Care Scrutiny Commission meeting was due to be held on Thursday 25 July 2024. The Cabinet meeting was held on Monday 22 July 2024 and approved plans to submit a Compulsory Purchase Order to acquire the remaining properties at the Elephant & Castle Shopping Centre. The Housing, Community Safety and Community Engagement Scrutiny Commission meeting was due to be held on Tuesday 23 July 2024.

Environment Scrutiny Commission - Monday 22 July 2024

The Environment Scrutiny Commission meeting scheduled for Monday 22 July 2024 appears to have been postponed, as no transcript is available. The Environment Scrutiny Commission has a role that is very similar to that of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. It scrutinises the decisions of the Cabinet, but it is specifically focussed on matters relating to the environment. These can range from very local issues like the number of litter bins in the borough, to global issues, like the council's policies to reach Net Zero.

Southwark Maternity Commission - Wednesday 24 July 2024

The Southwark Maternity Commission meeting scheduled for Wednesday 24 July 2024 appears to have been postponed, as no transcript is available. The Southwark Maternity Commission is a relatively new commission. It was only formed on 18 July 2023, to respond to a number of high profile failings in maternity services in the UK. This commission does not have decision making powers. It can only make recommendations to the council's Cabinet.

Health and Social Care Scrutiny Commission - Thursday 25 July 2024

The Health and Social Care Scrutiny Commission meeting scheduled for Thursday 25 July 2024 appears to have been postponed, as no transcript is available. The Health and Social Care Scrutiny Commission has a very similar role to the Environment Scrutiny Commission, but its focus is on health and social care.

Cabinet - Monday 22 July 2024

Southwark Council’s Cabinet met on Monday 22 July 2024 to make a number of decisions. The Cabinet is Southwark Council's principal decision-making body. It is responsible for implementing the council's policy objectives and for making decisions on the allocation of resources. The Cabinet is made up of the Leader of the Council and up to nine other councillors, who are appointed by the Leader. In this case, no video recording of the meeting appears to have been made, so we have to rely on the printed minutes of the meeting. This week, they approved plans to submit a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) to acquire the remaining properties at the Elephant & Castle Shopping Centre. The council wants to redevelop the shopping centre as part of its wider regeneration plans for the area, but has been unable to reach an agreement with all of the leaseholders, despite extensive negotiations. A CPO is a legal process that allows a public body, such as a local council, to acquire land or property without the consent of the owner. It is typically used as a last resort, when all other attempts to acquire the land or property have failed. In this case the council decided to progress to a CPO after protracted negotiations to buy out the remaining leaseholders had failed. This is similar to the CPO that the council used in 2010 to acquire land for the first phase of the Elephant and Castle regeneration.

Housing, Community Safety and Community Engagement Scrutiny Commission - Tuesday 23 July 2024

The Housing, Community Safety and Community Engagement Scrutiny Commission meeting scheduled for Tuesday 23 July 2024 appears to have been postponed, as no transcript is available. This commission has a very similar role to the Environment and Health and Social Care Scrutiny Commissions. It is responsible for scrutinising the council's policies relating to housing, community safety, and community engagement, and making recommendations to the Cabinet where appropriate.

Southwark Council This Week: Nag's Head Licence Amended, Delicias Colombianas Refused

In the last 7 days, the council scheduled 34 meetings of which 32 were actually held. One meeting, the Overview & Scrutiny Committee meeting scheduled for Monday 8 July 2024 was postponed.

The Licensing Sub-Committee of Southwark Council met on the morning of Tuesday 9th July 2024 and made two decisions: the licence of The Nag's Head public house was reviewed and amended; and the application for a new licence for Delicias Colombianas was refused. You can read the minutes of the meeting here.

Review of The Nag's Head Public House Licence

The sub-committee reviewed the licence of The Nag's Head, 231-235 Rye Lane, London SE15 4TP. The review had been called following a number of alleged breaches of the pub's licence, including the sale of alcohol to minors and exceeding the maximum authorised capacity.

The Licensing Authority received an application for review from Trading Standards on 20 May 2024 on the grounds of:

The prevention of crime and disorder objective.

The protection of children from harm objective.

This followed a joint operation with the Police on 11 May 2024 when an underage operative purchased alcohol from the premises. During this operation a number of other licensing offences were identified.

Licensing Team, Report, p1

The meeting heard representations from various parties, including the police, Trading Standards and the pub's licence holder.

I would also note the premises appears to trade beyond its capacity frequently, a review of social media shows a large number of patrons within the public house and the outside area.

PC Joseph Gabriel, Metropolitan Police Service, Representations from Responsible Authorities, p5

The sub-committee considered all the evidence and concluded that there had been breaches of the pub's licence.

The Sub-Committee noted that the CCTV footage showed that although there was a member of staff on the door, customers had been able to enter the premises without being asked for identification and without any checks as to their age.

Licensing Sub-Committee, Decision Notice, p2

The Sub-Committee decided to modify the conditions of The Nag's Head's licence and add new conditions.

The sub-committee determined to grant the application and to modify the conditions of the licence and add new conditions to promote the licensing objectives.

Licensing Sub-Committee, Decision Notice, p1

The new conditions were:

No entry to the premises after 11:00pm
CCTV to be installed and maintained at the premises to a standard agreed in writing by the Metropolitan Police
A personal licence holder to be on duty at the pub at all times when alcohol is being sold.

Application for a new licence for Delicias Colombianas

The sub-committee considered an application for a new premises licence for Delicias Colombianas, 720-722 Old Kent Road, London SE15 1NG.

This application for a new Premises Licence was received from Delicias Colombianas. They are seeking permission for the sale by retail of alcohol off the premises (late night refreshment) Monday to Sunday 23:00 to 05:00.

Licensing Team, Report, p2

This application had been objected to by the Council's Pollution Team who were concerned about the impact of noise from customers at the premises late at night on nearby residents.

I object to this application as it has the potential to undermine the licensing objective of the prevention of public nuisance.

Thomas Weaver, Pollution Control Officer, Representations from Responsible Authorities, p7

The sub-committee heard representations from the applicant and the Pollution Team. The applicant argued that they would be a responsible operator and that they would take steps to minimise noise nuisance.

I would like to highlight the fact that as part of our business we are committed to supporting the local community.

Applicant, Delicias Colombianas, Meeting Transcript, p12

The sub-committee decided to refuse the application.

Having had regard to the Council's Licensing Policy, the guidance issued under s.182 of the Licensing Act 2003 and to all the other matters brought before it, the Sub-Committee refused the application.

Licensing Sub-Committee, Decision Notice, p1

The key reason for their decision was the potential for public nuisance due to the premises' location in a cumulative impact zone.¹

The Sub-Committee were concerned about the location of the premises in a Cumulative Impact Zone and the potential for customers congregating outside the premises late at night, which could give rise to noise and disturbance to residents in the area.

Licensing Sub-Committee, Decision Notice, p3

This decision appears to be consistent with the council's Statement of Licensing Policy, which states that Applications for new premises licences or club premises certificates will normally be refused if the premises are situated in a cumulative impact zone...

The other 31 meetings of unknown committees that were scheduled for this week have no publicly available minutes, and so we cannot report on the content of them.

A cumulative impact zone is a geographical area where the council has decided that the number or density of licensed premises is having, or is likely to have, a significant negative impact on one or more of the licensing objectives. ↩

Southwark Council Meetings Postponed: Key Updates

This week, the Southwark Council had scheduled two meetings, both of which were either postponed or cancelled. Here are the details:

Environment Scrutiny Commission

Date: Tuesday 25 June 2024
Status: Postponed
Meeting Link

The Environment Scrutiny Commission meeting was postponed. This commission is responsible for reviewing and scrutinising the council's environmental policies, including waste management, air quality, and green spaces. The postponement means that any discussions or decisions on these topics will be delayed until the meeting is rescheduled.

Licensing Sub-Committee

Date: Thursday 27 June 2024
Status: Cancelled
Meeting Link

The Licensing Sub-Committee meeting was cancelled. This sub-committee oversees the licensing of various activities within the borough, such as alcohol sales, entertainment venues, and late-night refreshments. The cancellation means that any pending licensing applications or reviews will be deferred to a future date.

While no significant decisions were made this week due to the postponement and cancellation of these meetings, it's essential to understand the roles these committees play in local governance. The Environment Scrutiny Commission ensures that the council's environmental initiatives are effective and sustainable, aligning with broader goals such as reducing carbon emissions and improving public health. The Licensing Sub-Committee, on the other hand, is crucial for maintaining public safety and order by regulating businesses and activities that require licenses.

Stay tuned for updates on when these meetings will be rescheduled and for more information on other council activities in the coming weeks.

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