The Monmouthshire County Council Licensing and Gambling Committee convened to review an application for a new premises licence for Only Foods & Sauces Limited, located in Bulwark Industrial Estate, Chepstow. After considering objections from local residents and reviewing the application against the four licensing objectives¹, the committee granted the licence with specific conditions recommended by Gwent Police and Environmental Health. These conditions address concerns related to noise, public safety, and the prevention of crime and disorder.

Only Foods & Sauces Premises Licence Application

The committee reviewed an application for a new premises licence for Only Foods & Sauces Limited, situated in Bulwark Industrial Estate, Chepstow, NP16 5QZ. The application requested permission for the provision of films and live music (Friday to Sunday), recorded music (Monday to Sunday), and the supply of alcohol (Friday to Sunday).

Decision: The committee granted the licence with conditions.

Objections and Concerns

During the meeting, the committee heard from several objectors, including local residents and County Councillor Sue Riley, ward member for the area. The primary concerns raised were:

• Noise Pollution: Residents expressed concerns about excessive noise from outdoor music events, particularly during evenings and weekends. They referenced a past bank holiday event where music was reportedly audible from a significant distance.
• Disruption and Anti-Social Behaviour: Concerns were raised regarding large gatherings causing disruption, traffic issues, littering, and potential anti-social behaviour from intoxicated individuals.
• Proximity to Gymnastics Club: Objectors noted the proximity of the premises to a gymnastics club with children present, raising concerns about potential exposure to inappropriate behaviour.

Conditions of Licence

In granting the licence, the committee imposed several conditions based on recommendations from Gwent Police and Environmental Health. These conditions include:

• Gwent Police Conditions:
  • Alcohol sales to cease at 22:30 Friday-Sunday, with 30 minutes of drink-up time.
  • Additional staff training.
  • Implementation of CCTV in licensed areas.
  • Maintenance of an incident/refusal logbook.
  • Further monitoring of the premises and display of notices.
  • Implementation of the Challenge 25 Scheme².

• Environmental Health Conditions:

  • Implementation of a noise management plan.
  • Installation of a noise limiting device.

  The Principal Licensing Officer Linda O'Gorman presented the report. The applicant confirmed in writing their acceptance of the representations made by Gwent Police and environmental health.

Covenant on the Land

During the hearing, reference was made to a covenant on the land restricting the sale of alcohol. However, the council's solicitor Julian Sanders, clarified that this covenant does not restrict Monmouthshire County Council's powers as a licensing authority to issue a premises licence.

Planning Enforcement

The Planning Authority informed the Licensing Authority that they could not find any planning permissions for this food and drink use on the Bulwark Industrial Estate and would be opening an enforcement case to investigate this change of use. The Licensing Committee noted that it is not bound by decisions made by the Planning Committee and vice versa.

Public Support

The committee noted that in addition to the objections, they had also received 90 representations of support to the premises licence application. Supporters said that the music is only for occasional events and won't cause a nuisance, that the premises is bringing visitors from all over the country to the area, that it provides a place for persons of any age to attend which is a safe and fun space, that the premises is providing a service to the local community and local residents can and are benefitting from it, and that the business is making use of a space which would be empty and derelict but can be used by the community now.

Licensing Objectives

The committee considered the application against the four licensing objectives, as required by the Licensing Act 2003. Councillor County Tudor Thomas, Chairman of the committee, stated that the sub-committee had paid great regard to the objections raised, but had discounted reference to criminal convictions.