The Licensing Act Sub Committee of Cornwall Council met on Wednesday to consider applications for premises licences for the Cornish Craft Barn Ltd and The Ritz. Both applications had received objections from other persons, and so were scheduled to be discussed at a hearing.

Licensing Act 2003 Application for grant of premises licence The Ritz, Queen Street, Penzance

The sub-committee was scheduled to discuss an application from Merlin Cinemas Ltd for a premises licence for The Ritz, Queen Street, Penzance. The report pack noted that the premises is a:

multi-purpose venue split over 2 levels with stalls & circle seating, kitchen and bars. Offering mixed live entertainment, cinema and event cinema screenings.

The application requested permission to host plays, films, live music, recorded music, and dance performances, provide late night refreshment and supply alcohol.

The report pack noted that the premises is situated within the Penzance Cumulative Impact Zone. The council's licensing policy states that a Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) can be adopted if it indicates the need for a special policy, and that the council considers that the number of premises licences and club premises certificates in the areas specified is such that it is likely that granting further licences would be inconsistent with the council's duty to promote the licensing objectives¹. The report pack included representations from several other persons, including:

• Gina Cucinello, who raised concerns about the potential for noise and disturbance to local residents, and the lack of consultation with neighbours.
• Marquita Jose, who expressed fears that the licence would lead to increased noise and anti-social behaviour, particularly during the summer months.
• Yvonne Trevithick, who said that they were speaking on behalf of other concerned residents in Queen Street, and objected to the proposed late night entertainment and sale of alcohol.
• Terence Bacon, who raised concerns about public nuisance, crime and disorder, public safety issues and parking problems.
• Rowena Richard, who objected to the proposed licensing hours due to concerns about noise and disturbance from the loading and unloading of equipment after live events.
• Trevor Thorne and Sara Wolde Gabriel, who raised concerns about anti-social behaviour, proximity to residential dwellings, and the ability for issues to be policed.
• Angela Tresidder, who felt that the late closing hours were too late, and suggested that specific licence extensions should be applied for special events.
• Gill Fickling, who shares an adjoining wall with The Ritz, and is concerned about the noise and disturbance the opening of The Ritz will cause.

The report pack also noted that Community Protection had suggested adding conditions to the licence, including that all doors and windows shall be kept shut during regulated entertainment, noise from the premises shall not exceed certain levels, and that a telephone number is made available for local residents to contact in the case of noise-nuisance or anti-social behaviour. The applicant agreed to all of these conditions.

Licensing Act 2003 Application for grant of premises licence Cornish Craft Barn Ltd, Cornish Craft Barn, The Gwel, Kea Downs Road, Chacewater, Truro, Cornwall, TR4 8PA.

The sub-committee was scheduled to discuss an application from Cornish Craft Barn Limited for the grant of a premises licence in respect of Cornish Craft Barn, The Gwel, Kea Downs Road, Chacewater, Truro.

The report pack described the premises as a:

café, events and training venue. The building has a cafe downstairs which includes an outside seating area, two training rooms upstairs, retail space at the back of the café and disabled toilets.

The applicant requested permission to show films, and supply alcohol for consumption on the premises.

The report pack included a representation from Mrs Judith Goater, who objected to the proposal on the grounds of non-compliance with local and national planning policy, significant harm to the designated landscape and heritage environment, and adverse impacts on public amenity and safety.

Mrs Goater stated that the proposed development fails to comply with the Cornwall Local Plan: Strategic Policies 2010–2030, specifically:

• Policy 2 – Spatial Strategy
• Policy 12 – Design
• Policy 16 – Health and Wellbeing
• Policy 23 – Natural Environment
• Policy 24 – Historic Environment

Mrs Goater also raised concerns about noise and anti-social behaviour, light pollution and dark skies, and traffic and road safety.