The Licensing Sub-Committee was scheduled to consider an application for a new premises licence for Wanstead Golf Club. The committee was also set to review the procedure for licensing hearings.

Procedure for Licensing Hearings

The committee was scheduled to review the established procedure for conducting licensing hearings. This procedure outlines the steps involved, including the presentation of factual summaries by licensing authority officers, the order in which evidence from applicants and interested parties would be considered, and the process for summing up cases before a private decision is made. Official notice of the decision is to be sent to all parties within five working days.

Application for a New Premises Licence: Wanstead Golf Club

The primary item scheduled for discussion was an application for a new premises licence for Wanstead Golf Club, located at Overton Drive, Wanstead, London, E11 2LW. The application, submitted by My Planning Consultancy Limited on behalf of WGC 24 Limited, sought to allow the sale of alcohol for consumption both on and off the premises.

The initial application proposed opening hours from 08:00 to 01:00 for the supply of alcohol and from 06:00 to 02:00 for the premises to be open to the public, seven days a week. The premises are described as being ancillary to the Wanstead Golf Course, catering to members and their guests.

However, fourteen representations were received from Other Persons opposing the application, raising concerns related to the licensing objectives of preventing crime and disorder, public nuisance, and protecting children from harm. No objections were lodged by Responsible Authorities.

An agreement was reached between the applicant, the Metropolitan Police Licensing Team, and Licensing Enforcement regarding amended timings and additional conditions. These agreed amended timings propose:

• Supply of alcohol: Sunday to Thursday from 08:00 to 23:30, and Friday to Saturday from 08:00 to 00:30.
• Premises open to the public: Sunday to Thursday from 06:00 to 00:00 (midnight), and Friday to Saturday from 06:00 to 01:00.

The report pack detailed the legal implications, including those under the Human Rights Act 1998, and fairness implications related to equality and diversity. It also outlined the financial implications, stating there were no budgetary issues for the council arising from the report.

The committee was presented with recommendations to either grant the application, grant it with additional conditions, grant it in part, or reject it.

The report pack included several appendices providing supporting documentation:

• Appendix A: The current Club Premises Certificate.
• Appendix B: The application for a premises licence and supporting documents.
• Appendix C: The premises layout plan.
• Appendix D: Google Maps and Street View images of the premises.
• Appendix E: Copies of the representations received from Other Persons.
• Appendix F: Details of the agreement reached with the Police and Licensing Authority.

The report also referenced the council's Statement of Licensing Policy¹, highlighting its framework hours for similar establishments in residential areas, which the current application exceeded. The policy also emphasizes the importance of the Challenge 25 scheme² to prevent underage sales.