The Buckinghamshire Licensing (Premises) Sub-Committee granted a variation to the premises licence for The Swan public house in Iver. The variation allows for the inclusion of an outdoor marquee within the licensed area and updates the licensable area by removing the car park, kitchen, and toilet facilities.

Variation of Premises Licence for The Swan, Iver

The Licensing (Premises) Sub-Committee considered an application to vary the premises licence for The Swan, located at 2 High Street, Iver, SL0 9NG. The application sought to amend the approved premises licence plan to include an outdoor marquee in the garden and patio area, and to remove the car park, kitchen, storage areas, and toilets from the licensed area. Additionally, several conditions within the licence were proposed to be amended to ensure that the marquee and other structures within the outdoor space would be subject to the same controls as the existing garden and patio.

The application was met with six valid objections from local residents and Iver Parish Council, primarily on the grounds of the prevention of public nuisance, crime and disorder, and public safety. Concerns were raised about noise disturbance from the marquee, its proximity to residential properties, its potential use as an event space, and a perceived lack of sound insulation. Allegations of breaches of existing licensing conditions and incidents of disorder were also cited.

Thames Valley Police and the Head of Environmental Health both raised no objections to the application. Environmental Health noted that the proposed amended conditions would ensure the marquee is subject to the same controls as the existing outdoor area and emphasised the importance of effective premises management to minimise public nuisance.

During the hearing, considerable discussion took place regarding the definition of regulated entertainment and the interpretation of existing licence conditions, particularly concerning music and events. The applicant's representative, Matthew Phipps of TLT Solicitors, argued that the variation sought was primarily to regularise the existing layout and did not involve changes to operating hours or licensable activities. He stressed that the stringent conditions imposed after a previous licence review in September 2025 would continue to apply to the marquee area.

The Sub-Committee carefully considered all representations and submissions. While acknowledging the concerns raised by objectors, the Panel found it difficult to establish concrete evidence of breaches of existing conditions or that the licensing objectives would be undermined by the proposed variation. The Panel noted that neither the Police nor Environmental Health, who are considered experts in their respective fields, had objected to the application. The Panel also took into account that the applicant had offered an additional condition during the hearing to improve the handling of complaints and indicated an intention to install soundproofing in the marquee if the variation was granted.

Ultimately, the Sub-Committee decided to grant the variation of the premises licence. The decision was based on balancing the representations made, the evidence presented, and the relevant legislation and guidance. The Panel concluded that the existing and proposed conditions were reasonable and proportionate for promoting the licensing objectives. The decision was communicated to the applicant and relevant parties, with details of the right to appeal provided.

Decision: The application to vary the premises licence for The Swan, 2 High Street, Iver, SL0 9NG was granted, subject to the mandatory conditions and the conditions set out in Schedules 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the decision notice. These included updated conditions relating to the marquee and outdoor space, and an additional condition for a direct telephone number for the manager to be made available to local residents and businesses.