The Tandridge District Council Licensing Sub Committee met on 1 September 2025 to discuss an application for a variation of a premises licence at Titsey Tap Room, Clark's Lane Farm. The committee decided to grant the amended application with modified conditions, including limiting events with over 500 attendees to a maximum of three per year and ensuring the stage for music events is positioned as specified in the application. The decision took into account concerns about public nuisance and aimed to balance the applicant's business needs with the interests of local residents.

Titsey Tap Room Licence Variation

The sub-committee considered an application for the variation of a premises licence at Titsey Tap Room, Clark's Lane Farm, Tatsfield. The application sought to extend licensing hours, include recorded music, and expand the licensed area to include an outside field.

During the consultation period, the council received one representation from a member of the public, Timothy McHugo, objecting to the application based on concerns about noise and public nuisance.

Concerns raised

Mr McHugo raised concerns that the proposed variation risked permanently changing the rural nature of the area and that the applicant's proposed remedies would be insufficient to mitigate the nuisance caused by events.

The applicant's representative, Craig Vroom, supported by sound technician Dave Woodman, addressed the committee, stating that the licence would enable the holding of music festivals on the site, which had support from local people. He also outlined proposed mitigations to noise issues, such as moving speakers to direct noise away from residents' homes and using a public address system with directional speakers.

Mr McHugo had requested additional technical conditions regarding noise, detailed in the Supplementary Agenda. However, Environmental Health confirmed the use of standard conditions in the Code of Practice on Environmental Noise Control at Concerts¹ for consistency across the district, leading Mr McHugo to withdraw his request.

Amendments and Conditions

Initially, the Police and Environmental Health raised concerns, but after mediation with the applicant, agreements were reached to include additional conditions. These conditions are detailed in Appendix E and Appendix F of the public reports pack.

The applicant also agreed to amend the application to reduce the hours for on-site alcohol sales to 11:00 to 23:00 Monday to Saturday and 11:00 to 22:00 on Sunday, while maintaining off-sales from 09:00 to 23:00 Monday to Sunday.

The Sub-Committee agreed to grant the amended application with modified conditions, including:

• The stage for all music events must be positioned as specified in the application.
• No more than three events a year can host more than 500 people.

The committee noted that the responsible authorities did not object, and the applicant had agreed to additional conditions from the Police and Environmental Health. They also reminded the applicant that events like Christmas markets would require a variation to the licence.

The sub-committee stated that it:

acknowledged the objectors points around changing the nature and character of the area but did not take this into account as these were Planning matters.

The Sub-Committee was encouraged by the submissions of the applicant based on the inclusion of the audio specialist who appeared to have the adequate experience in managing large events in London and across the country.

Election of Chair

Councillor Jenny Gaffney was elected Chair of the meeting.