The Licensing Panel was scheduled to consider an application for a new premises licence for Northern Roots, a new urban farm and eco-park in Oldham. The panel was also scheduled to discuss the order of proceedings for the meeting.

Northern Roots New Premises Application

The Licensing Panel was scheduled to consider an application for a premises licence for Northern Roots, located at Kings Road, Oldham, OL8 2BJ. This application was referred to the panel for determination due to representations being received.

The application sought permission for a range of licensable activities, including:

• Live Music: Scheduled for Monday to Sunday, from 8:00 am to Midnight.
• Recorded Music: Scheduled for Monday to Sunday, from 8:00 am to Midnight.
• Late Night Refreshment: Scheduled for Monday to Sunday, from 11:00 pm to Midnight.
• Supply of Alcohol: Scheduled for Monday to Sunday, from 11:00 am to Midnight.
• Hours Premises are Open to the Public: Scheduled for Monday to Sunday, from 8:00 am to 12:30 am.

The report pack indicated that representations were received from interested parties, specifically Mr. Steven Bird and Mrs. Anita Bird, who reside at 33 Tuns Road, Oldham, OL8 2PT. Their concerns primarily related to the potential for public nuisance and harm to children due to the proposed hours for live and recorded music, particularly outdoors.

Mr. and Mrs. Bird expressed concerns that the application, as written, could allow for loud outdoor music from 8:00 am to midnight every day, which they believed would negatively impact the quality of life for nearby residents, including children's sleep patterns. They suggested that outdoor music should be removed from the application or restricted to weekends only, with outdoor music ceasing at 9:00 pm. Mrs. Bird also noted that the location of the proposed licensed area was imprecise and that notices about the application had not been widely displayed in residential areas.

In response to these representations, Northern Roots proposed an amendment to the application. They stated that the extensive hours applied for were to provide flexibility for occasional events and that their primary operation would be as a daytime café and visitor destination. They offered a condition that No amplified live or recorded music shall be provided outdoors after 21:00. Music and entertainment taking place later than this would therefore be indoors. Northern Roots also provided a plan outlining the specific area around the Welcome Building to which the licence would apply.

The report pack also included details on the council's Licensing Policy Statement, which highlights the importance of preventing public nuisance and protecting children from harm. It also referenced the Secretary of State's Guidance under the Licensing Act 2003, which provides guidance on licensing objectives and appropriate measures.

The panel was scheduled to consider the application, taking into account the representations received and the proposed amendments, and had the options to grant the application as applied, grant it with modified conditions, or reject it.

Order of Proceedings

The panel was scheduled to follow a specific order of proceedings for the hearing. This procedure outlined how the application would be presented, how representations would be heard, and how the panel would reach a determination. It also detailed the time allocated for each party to address the panel and the process for questioning witnesses. The procedure emphasised that members were making decisions in a quasi-judicial manner and had a duty to view all evidence impartially.