The Buckinghamshire Council Licensing Sub-Committee met to discuss an application to vary the premises licence for The Rockwood pub, located at 32 Kingsbury, Aylesbury. The application sought to include an outhouse in the licensed area, match the licence hours, and include non-standard timings for bank holidays. Following discussion, the committee agreed to grant the variation with conditions.

Rockwood Premises Licence Application

Kerryann Ashton, the Licensing Officer, presented a report outlining the application submitted by Mr Dan Brewer and Mrs Emily Brewer of The Rockwood. The application requested a variation of the premises licence to include an outhouse as part of the licensed area, to match the licence hours, and to include non-standard timings for bank holidays.

Ms Ashton noted that Thames Valley Police and Bucks Fire had raised no objections. However, Environmental Health submitted a representation, and two valid objections were received during the consultation period, based on the prevention of public nuisance.

Ms Ashton's report drew attention to the council's adopted licensing policy published February 2022, which encourages high standards of management in licensed premises. The report also referenced the Home Office guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act, stating that the promotion of the four licensing objectives is a paramount consideration at all times. The four licensing objectives are:

• Prevention of crime and disorder
• Public safety
• Prevention of public nuisance
• The protection of children from harm

Mr Brewer stated that following representations and conversations with Alison King from Environmental Health, they were happy to amend the application to a midnight licence for alcohol and without a licence for regulated entertainment¹. The intention would now be to simply include background music only. He said that the primary reason for the application was to provide additional indoor seating for customers and to offer a space for small private gatherings.

Alison King from the Council's Environmental Protection Team, asked what measures had been taken to prevent noise emanating from the outbuilding into the neighbouring property, given the party wall between them. She also raised concerns about the protection of children from noise, and asked if there had been any breaches of licensable hours in the last two weeks.

Mr Brewer said that they try to manage noise as best they can and will be limiting music to background music only. He said that staff regularly visit the garden for glass collection and to manage customer behaviour, and that security is employed on Saturday evenings.

Mr Matthew Smith, speaking and objecting, raised concerns about crime and disorder, public safety, and public nuisance. He said that bringing more people into the area would bring more crime to the old town, and that crowd control would be unmanageable across four zones with limited exits. He also raised concerns about noise and vibration, and the potential for structural damage to the building.

Mr Smith also questioned the suitability of the applicant, referring to a photograph of a DJ booth on the roof as evidence of a willingness to antagonise neighbours.

Ms King said that as a result of the amendment to the hours, Environmental Health would be withdrawing their objection.

Mr Smith asked Ms King if she had no objections to what previously happened. Ms King clarified that they were withdrawing their objection on the grounds of deregulation of the hours, and that they can take a complaint forward if there is a private nuisance.

Mr Smith stated that he objected to the fact that the panel were only considering the elements of the variation and not the full license.

The committee then moved to closing submissions.