The Licensing (Premises) Sub-Committee of Buckinghamshire Council is scheduled to consider an application for a new premises licence for Bernwood Park, Arncott Road, Boarstall, HP18 9XX. The meeting documents outline the application details, representations received from various parties, and the council's licensing policy.

New Premises Licence Application for Bernwood Park

The primary focus of the meeting is to consider an application for a new premises licence for Bernwood Park, located at Arncott Road, Boarstall, HP18 9XX. The applicant, BHCS Magnolia Limited, seeks to operate the premises, which includes a hotel, golf club, restaurant, bar, and event space, with extended hours for the sale of alcohol, live and recorded music, and late-night refreshment. The proposed hours include alcohol sales and music until 1:00 am daily, with the premises open 24 hours.

The application has generated significant public interest, with ten valid objections received from any other persons during the consultation period. These objections, detailed in Appendix 7 of the public reports pack¹, raise concerns across all four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.

Key concerns highlighted in the representations include:

• Prevention of Public Nuisance: Residents and the Boarstall Parish Meeting express significant worry about noise disturbance from amplified music, customers congregating outside the premises, vehicle movements, and general dispersal noise late at night. The rural location of Boarstall is noted as a factor that exacerbates noise issues due to low background sound levels. Concerns are raised about the potential for noise to travel to nearby residential properties, some of which are less than 170 metres from the premises.
• Prevention of Crime and Disorder: Objections suggest that late-night alcohol sales and entertainment could attract visitors from outside the village, potentially leading to increased vehicle traffic and antisocial behaviour, particularly given the limited late-night public transport options.
• Public Safety: The narrow and unlit rural lanes surrounding Boarstall are cited as a safety concern, with increased late-night vehicle movements and pedestrians potentially posing risks.
• Protection of Children from Harm: Residents are concerned that regular late-night activity could lead to disturbances affecting children living in the village.

The Licensing Officer's report outlines these concerns and notes that representations must relate to the licensing objectives, excluding matters such as planning issues, moral objections, or commercial demand. The report also details the proposed conditions offered by the applicant in their operating schedule, which aim to address these concerns.

The council's adopted Licensing Policy² and national guidance issued by the Home Office under Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003³ will be considered. These documents emphasise the importance of promoting the four licensing objectives and outline how the council intends to balance the interests of businesses and residents. The policy specifically addresses measures to prevent public nuisance, such as noise management, customer dispersal, and the use of outside areas, as well as measures for crime prevention, public safety, and the protection of children.

The Sub-Committee has several options available, including granting the licence with conditions, excluding certain licensable activities, refusing to specify a designated premises supervisor, or rejecting the entire application. Any decision made must be appropriate and proportionate to promote the four licensing objectives and must be supported by clear reasons.