The Licensing Sub-Committee A of Carmarthenshire Council met on Thursday 29 May 2025 to consider an application to vary a premises licence for the Cross Keys pub. The committee unanimously resolved to grant the application with agreed amendments and conditions.

Variation of Premises Licence for Cross Keys, Llanelli

The Licensing Sub-Committee A considered an application to vary the premises licence for the Cross Keys, located at 2 Prospect Place, Llanelli, SA15 3PT. The applicant sought to amend the supply of alcohol hours, remove restrictions on Good Friday and Christmas Day, replace current alcohol consumption conditions with a standard 30-minute drinking-up time, and alter the overall opening hours. Additionally, the applicant requested the removal of embedded conditions in Annex 2 and specific conditions related to public safety in Annex 3, while amending conditions concerning the employment of individuals under 16 and the presence of children after 10 pm.

The committee noted that representations had been received from Dyfed Powys Police, Environmental Health, the Licensing Authority, and other individuals. The applicant had agreed to amendments and conditions proposed by the Police and Environmental Health, leading to the withdrawal of their objections.

Objectors, who were present at the meeting, raised concerns regarding potential parking and traffic issues, anti-social behaviour including noise nuisance, public urination, drug use, littering, and the overall impact on residential properties. They referred to information detailed in Appendix F of the report and supplementary information provided by Councillor Rob James.

The applicant's representative responded to these concerns, stating that some of the issues raised by residents predated the applicant's ownership of the Cross Keys. They emphasised that the current application represented a minor change to the existing licence and that agreed amendments with the Police and Environmental Health were in place to mitigate any potential impact.

Following legal advice received in private session, the Sub-Committee unanimously resolved to grant the application for the variation of the premises licence on the terms and conditions agreed between the applicant and the responsible authorities.

The reasons for the decision included the fact that the premises had been closed for five years but retained a premises licence, and that the applicant had experience operating licensed premises. Crucially, the Police and Environmental Health Services did not object to the application on grounds relating to the licensing objectives. The Sub-Committee also noted that the applicant had accepted additional conditions proposed by the Police and Environmental Health. The Licensing Authority had no record of previous complaints and did not object, subject to agreed conditions. The committee gave significant weight to the views of these three responsible authorities, none of whom recommended refusal.

The Sub-Committee stated that concerns and fears about potential future issues, if unsupported by real evidence, could not be properly considered. They also recognised that matters relating to development control and listed buildings were outside their remit. While acknowledging the genuine concerns of the objectors, the Sub-Committee was obliged to consider the application in accordance with relevant legislation and statutory guidance. Issues of need and cumulative impact were deemed not relevant in this instance.

Ultimately, the Sub-Committee was satisfied that granting the application, as amended, would not undermine any of the licensing objectives, and that the additional licence conditions accepted by the applicant were appropriate for promoting these objectives.

The meeting was attended by Councillor J.M. Charles (Chair), Councillors A. Evans, J.K. Howell, S.A. Curry, and W.T.E. Evans. Also present were R. Edgecombe (Legal Services Manager), E. Jones (Licensing Lead), A. Rees and R.L. Griffiths (Licensing Officers), S. Rees (Simultaneous Translator), I. Phillips and R. Morris (Member Support), and E. Bryer (Democratic Services Officer).