The Buckinghamshire Council Licensing (Premises) Sub-Committee met on Wednesday 29 April 2026 to consider an application for a new premises licence for Bernwood Park Hotel and Golf Club. The committee considered objections from local residents and the parish council concerning potential noise, crime, public safety, and the protection of children.

New Premises Licence for Bernwood Park Hotel and Golf Club

The subcommittee considered an application for a new premises licence for Bernwood Park Hotel and Golf Club, located on Arncott Road, Borsall, HP18 9XX. The application sought permission for live and recorded music, late-night refreshment, and the sale of alcohol until 1am daily, with the premises to be open 24 hours.

Concerns Raised by Objectors:

Objections were received from local residents and the Borsall Parish Meeting, focusing on the potential for public nuisance, crime and disorder, public safety, and the protection of children. Key concerns included:

• Public Nuisance: Residents expressed worries about noise from amplified music, customer dispersal late at night, vehicle movements on narrow, unlit rural lanes, and noise from outside areas. The proximity of the venue to residential properties (less than 170 metres from the nearest homes) was highlighted.
• Crime and Disorder: Concerns were raised that late-night alcohol sales and entertainment could attract visitors from outside the village, leading to increased vehicle traffic and potential anti-social behaviour, particularly given the limited late-night public transport.
• Public Safety: The narrow and unlit rural lanes surrounding the venue were identified as a safety risk for increased vehicle and pedestrian movements in the early hours.
• Protection of Children: It was suggested that irregular late-night activities could lead to disturbances affecting children living in the village.

Applicant's Response and Proposed Conditions:

James Jude, General Manager of Bernwood Park Hotel and Golf Club, and Caroline King, Regional Director of Bespoke Hotels, presented the applicant's case. They emphasized that the venue operates as a managed hotel and event venue with pre-booked activities, rather than a late-night bar, and acknowledged the sensitivity of the rural location. They stated a commitment to managing noise, outdoor use, and guest behaviour.

During the hearing, the applicant agreed to several conditions to address the objectors' concerns. These included:

• Ensuring patrons smoking or drinking outside do so in an orderly manner and are supervised by staff to prevent public nuisance.
• Prominently displaying notices requesting patrons to respect local residents and use smoking areas quietly.
• Keeping all external doors closed after 9pm, except for immediate access and egress.
• Customers being permitted to consume alcohol in outside areas only until 11pm, with staff monitoring this.
• Providing a direct telephone number for the manager, available at all times the premises is open, to residents and businesses in the vicinity.
• Implementing a Challenge 25 policy for proof of age.
• Installing and maintaining a comprehensive CCTV system, with recordings stored for a minimum of 28 days and made available to the police or authorised officers.
• Keeping an incident log detailing crimes, ejections, complaints, and other relevant events.
• Ensuring staff are trained on the promotion of licensing objectives and health and safety policies.
• Regularly checking electrical and firefighting equipment, with records kept for 12 months.
• Not permitting customers to take open containers of alcohol from the premises.
• Ensuring all exit and fire doors open easily and are effectively self-closing.
• Displaying prominent signs regarding opening times and permitted hours for alcohol sales and late-night refreshments.
• Ensuring the premises are adequately vented to prevent nuisance from noxious smells.
• Implementing the Ask for Angela safeguarding initiative.

The subcommittee considered the application and the representations made. The final decision on the premises licence, including any conditions, was to be determined by the subcommittee following deliberation.