The Licensing Sub Committee granted a new premises licence for All Points East in Victoria Park, despite objections from local residents concerning noise and traffic. The committee also agreed to extend decision deadlines for three other licensing applications.

All Points East Premises Licence Application

The committee considered an application for a new premises licence for All Points East, located in Victoria Park, Grove Road, London, E3 5TB. The application sought authorisation for the sale of alcohol and the provision of regulated entertainment, including live music, for the annual festival.

Representations and Objections: Representations were received from three local residents: Daniel Carroll, Simon Cooper, and Tony Joyce. The primary concerns raised by residents related to the potential for public nuisance, specifically noise from the event and associated traffic congestion.

• Simon Cooper highlighted issues with traffic management, particularly concerning the Cadogan Gate and Cadogan Terrace. He expressed concerns about pedestrian congestion and the potential for traffic chaos and restricted emergency service access due to the road layout and event egress.
• Tony Joyce objected to the expansion of the event, noting its growth from a few days to a longer duration. He described significant disruption during the build-up and event periods, including noise from construction, generators, music, and crowds, stating that residents dread the summer months due to the impact. He also suggested that the reduction in formal complaints might be due to residents giving up on the process.
• Daniel Carroll, while acknowledging the value of the festival, raised concerns about the proposed capacity of 49,999, stating it was too high for the residential area. He also noted issues with damage to the park's running track during event setup and expressed a desire for the park to be returned to its original condition.

The Environmental Health Service initially made representations but subsequently withdrew them after agreeing on specific conditions with the applicant.

Applicant's Response: AEG Presents Ltd, represented by Simon Taylor, Dave Grindle, and Beth Smith, highlighted their extensive experience in running large-scale events, including All Points East in Victoria Park since 2018. They presented data showing a year-on-year reduction in complaints, including noise and anti-social behaviour. They stated that the proposed licence mirrored previous ones, with updates to align with the council's new Major Events Policy. The applicant emphasised their commitment to working with responsible authorities and residents, detailing their multi-agency planning process and the implementation of various management plans for noise, traffic, security, and public safety. They also noted the economic benefits of the festival, including local ticket allocations and engagement with local businesses.

Decision: The Licensing Sub Committee decided to grant the application for a new premises licence for All Points East. The committee acknowledged the concerns raised by residents, particularly regarding public nuisance, but concluded that the applicant had a proven track record of managing events and mitigating their impact. They noted the absence of objections from responsible authorities and considered the applicant's proposed conditions and existing mitigation measures to be sufficient. The committee stated that while they sympathised with residents experiencing disruption, the decision involved striking a balance, and they were satisfied that the licensing objectives were not undermined to an extent that would justify refusing the application. The licence was granted with the proposed conditions and those consistent with the operating schedule, with a note that condition 43 would be deleted and replaced by condition 44. The applicant was encouraged to continue engaging with residents.

Extension of Decision Deadlines

The Sub Committee was requested to extend the decision deadlines for three applications under the Licensing Act 2003:

• Shop 47 Goulston Street, London E1 7TP
• Troxy, 490 Commercial Road, London, E1 0HX
• Platform Hub One Ltd, Unit Cr40 Level Minus One, Crossrail Station and Retail Mall, 1 Crossrail Place, London E14 5AR

The decision deadlines for these applications were extended to 30 April 2024.