The Southern Area Licensing Sub Committee granted a new premises licence for Stonehenge Campsite, Berwick Road, Winterbourne Stoke SP3 4TQ, after considering representations from local residents and the Parish Council. The committee decided to grant the licence as applied for, with agreed conditions, finding that the application and proposed conditions would not undermine the licensing objectives.

New Premises Licence for Stonehenge Campsite

The committee granted a new premises licence to Stonehenge Campsite Ltd for their site at Berwick Road, Winterbourne Stoke SP3 4TQ. The licence allows for live and recorded music, and the sale of alcohol for both on and off-site consumption. The campsite will be open to the public from 08:00 to 22:00 daily, with residents and guests having 24-hour access.

The application was made by Stonehenge Campsite Ltd, represented by The Licensing Guys Ltd. They sought to enhance their offering to site residents by selling alcohol from their on-site shop and to host occasional on-site entertainment. The campsite has historically held events under Temporary Event Notices but wished to obtain a premises licence to allow for larger events without the restriction of a 499-attendee limit.

During the consultation period, six relevant representations were received: five from local residents and one from the Parish Council. Three of these parties attended the hearing and voiced concerns regarding public safety, site capacity, and the management of events. Specific worries were raised about the suitability and occupancy of the barn for events, the potential for noise disturbance, and whether adequate arrangements were in place for crowd management, emergency access, and fire safety. Residents also expressed concerns about alleged incidents of disorder and anti-social behaviour, including drug use, alcohol being brought onto the site, trespass, and noise disturbance from music and departing attendees.

The applicant's agent had worked with Environmental Health to strengthen the promotion of the licensing objectives, agreeing to conditions to manage noise and event frequency. No representations were received from Responsible Authorities such as Wiltshire Police or Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service.

The Sub-Committee considered all evidence and submissions. They noted that no Responsible Authority had made representations opposing the application and that there was no recorded history of complaints to the police, licensing authority, or environmental health. While acknowledging the concerns raised by local residents and the Parish Council, the Sub-Committee found that insufficient evidence had been presented to demonstrate that granting the licence, subject to the agreed conditions, would undermine the licensing objectives.

The committee welcomed the applicant's commitment to provide an emergency contact number for local residents and the proposed condition to cap noise levels with Environmental Health. They were satisfied that the licensing objectives could be adequately promoted through the operation of the licence as conditioned, and that the grant of the licence was appropriate. The Sub-Committee also noted that the review process within the legislation provided an additional safeguard for local residents.

The applicant has the right to appeal the decision to the Magistrates Court within 21 days. Interested parties also have the right to request a review of the licence.

The decision was made by Councillors Cllr Matt Bragg (Chairman), Cllr Trevor Carbin, and Cllr Mike Phillips.