The Licensing Sub-Committee of Cotswold District Council considered a pre-application for a private hire vehicle licence for an Ariel Nomad. The vehicle deviates from the council's standard policy, which typically requires vehicles to be four-door saloons, estates, multi-purpose vehicles, minibuses, or purpose-built hackney carriages. The committee heard from the applicant, James Henderson, about the intended use of the vehicle for events such as tours around the Cotswolds, children's birthday parties, and corporate events, with a significant portion of its use expected to be on private property. Henderson detailed a bespoke booking process where each event is tailored to customer requirements, involving pre-booking and discussion to ensure suitability and safety.

Private Hire Vehicle Licence for Ariel Nomad

The committee considered the suitability of the Ariel Nomad for its intended purpose, passenger safety, comfort, and roadworthiness. Questions were raised regarding planned maintenance, the vehicle's service history, and the process for checking its condition before each use. Henderson demonstrated a mobile app called Scannable for pre-use checks and confirmed that the vehicle would be serviced by the manufacturers, Ariel. Concerns about passenger safety and comfort, particularly for individuals with limited mobility, were discussed. Henderson explained that he would assess a passenger's ability to enter and exit the vehicle safely and reserve the right to refuse carriage if there were concerns. He also detailed the provision of appropriate clothing and safety equipment.

The committee also discussed the vehicle's handling on different terrains and its stability. Henderson described the Ariel Nomad's advanced suspension and power settings, designed for both on-road comfort and off-road capability, comparing its performance to that of a Land Rover and a Porsche 911. Councillor Julia Judd, who had the opportunity to sit in the vehicle, confirmed that she found it comfortable with ample legroom and that the seatbelt harness was easy to use, noting that while lifting legs was required to enter and exit, it was comparable to climbing over a stile.

The officer clarified that if approved, the vehicle would still need to undergo standard licensing applications and would be subject to MOTs every six months.

The committee deliberated on the application, considering government guidance for taxi and private hire licensing and Cotswold District Council's Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy. The officer stated that the committee approved the pre-application for the Ariel Nomad as a non-policy compliant vehicle, taking into consideration suitability for purpose, passenger safety, access and egress, passenger comfort, intended use, luggage capacity, roadworthiness, inspection, and evidence, with conditions attached. The applicant was informed that further licensing applications regarding the operator and any additional non-compliant vehicles would need to be submitted.