The Licensing Sub-Committee convened to address an application for a new premises licence for Seaton Rangers ARLFC, a matter that drew significant attention from local residents and responsible authorities. Following a hearing, the sub-committee unanimously agreed to grant the licence, incorporating conditions proposed by responsible authorities, as well as additional conditions for a Good Neighbour Agreement¹ and revised stipulations for children under 18. This decision aims to balance the club's operation as a community facility with the rights of residents to enjoy their homes without undue disturbance.

Seaton Rangers ARLFC Premises Licence Application

The primary focus of the meeting was the application by Seaton Rangers ARLFC for a new premises licence. The covering report to Licensing Regulatory Seaton Rugby Club submitted by the Licensing Officer explained that the application sought to consolidate the venue's existing licences into a single licence, extending its scope to cover the entirety of the venue. The club already held a club premises certificate, CP0020, issued in 2005, and a premises licence, PL0655, issued in 2014, but these only covered separate areas within the venue. The new licence was intended to allow all parts of the premises to be used by non-members.

The application requested permission for:

• Supply of alcohol (on and off the premises)
• Indoor sporting events
• Live music (indoors)
• Recorded music (indoors and outdoors)
• Anything of a similar description (indoors and outdoors)

The proposed hours of operation were Monday to Sunday, 11:00 to 23:30, with an additional hour on bank holidays, Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

Concerns Raised by Residents and Authorities

The application faced opposition from local residents, Cumbria Constabulary (the county's police force), Cumberland Council's Environmental Health and Trading Standards Services, leading to a hearing as an agreement could not be reached beforehand.

Key concerns raised by residents included:

• Noise Nuisance: Particular concern was expressed regarding the playing of recorded music in the beer garden and the lack of control for sound systems not directly operated by the premises staff.
• Behaviour of Customers: Residents cited instances of noise, swearing, shouting, and disruptive behaviour, especially at night and on weekends.
• Suitability for Private Functions: Concerns were raised about the use of the venue for private parties, particularly regarding noise and child safety.
• Child Safety: Doubts were expressed that children under 18 would leave the venue by 9pm, as stated in the licence conditions.
• Lack of SIA Door Supervision: Residents noted the absence of Security Industry Authority² (SIA) door supervision.
• Building Suitability: Concerns were raised about the building's fabric being unsuitable to prevent noise nuisance.
• Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS): Doubts were expressed about the suitability of the named DPS to promote compliance with the licensing objectives.

Cumbria Constabulary, Cumberland Council's Environmental Health and Trading Standards Services also submitted representations, proposing amended conditions for the Licence. Cumberland Council's Planning department noted they had received an invalid retrospective planning application for the beer garden, but did not submit representations.

Applicant's Response and Agreed Conditions

The applicant stated that the premises was a community venue home to many teams and offering an important community presence to a village of over 5,000 residents with few venue spaces remaining, and that a risk assessment had been completed around the licensing objectives, and steps were being taken to address identified issues.

The applicant initially expressed reservations about the conditions proposed by Environmental Health, particularly regarding pre-set noise limits. However, after discussions, the applicant agreed to all conditions suggested by Environmental Health, including adhering to agreed-upon noise limits for externally provided audio systems.

Additional Conditions and Agreements

To address the concerns raised, the sub-committee imposed additional conditions:

• Good Neighbour Agreement: A condition was added requiring the Licence Holder to implement and maintain a Good Neighbour Agreement, developed in consultation with local residents and the Licensing Authority, setting out measures to minimise public nuisance and promote positive community relations.
• Revised Condition for Children: The condition regarding children leaving the venue by 9pm was revised to focus on supervision by a responsible adult and preventing nuisance to other customers or neighbouring properties. The revised condition stated:

'Children under the age of 18 years on the premises shall be closely supervised by a responsible adult at all times so as not to cause nuisance to other customers or to neighbouring properties. Clear and legible signage will be placed at all public entrances to the premises advising patrons of these requirements.'

Sub-Committee Decision

Following careful consideration of the report, representations from the Specialist Licensing and Compliance Officer, responsible authorities, and local residents, the sub-committee unanimously decided to grant the licence subject to the conditions mentioned from the responsible authorities within the report, as well as the condition for a Good Neighbour Agreement and the revised condition for children under the age of 18 and accompanying signage to support this condition.

The sub-committee considered that this decision appropriately balances the applicant's right to operate a community facility with the rights of local residents to enjoy their homes without undue interference.