The Licensing Sub Committee of Havant Borough Council met on 23 September 2025 to consider a licensing application. The meeting was scheduled to focus on an application for a premises licence for a KFC restaurant in Waterlooville. Councillors were also expected to record any apologies for absence and declare any conflicts of interest.

Application for Premises Licence: KFC, London Road, Waterlooville

The main item for consideration was an application from Mayfair Assets Limited for a premises licence for KFC, 149 London Road, Waterlooville, Hampshire, PO8 8ER. According to the report pack, the application was made under section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003.

The application proposed that the KFC restaurant be allowed to provide late-night refreshment, both indoors and outdoors, between the hours of 23:00 and 00:00, Monday to Sunday.

The report pack noted that a previous premises licence had been held by KFC at the site from 2005, but it was surrendered by the previous licence holder on 20 May 2025.

Representations

As part of the application process, a statutory 28-day public consultation was held, and the council received representations from both Responsible Authorities and 'Other Persons'.

• Environmental Health (Pollution Team): A representation was received from the Environmental Health (Pollution Team) relating to the 'prevention of public nuisance' licensing objective.
• Other Persons: Several representations were received from 'Other Persons', primarily relating to the 'prevention of crime and disorder' and 'prevention of public nuisance' licensing objectives.

The report pack included the following appendices:

• Appendix A: Application by Mayfair Assets Limited
• Appendix B: Consultation table with Responsible Authority responses
• Appendix C: Conditions agreed between Police and Applicant
• Appendix D: Representations from 'Other Persons'
• Appendix E: Representation from Environmental Health

Objections from local residents

Several local residents submitted objections to the application for a premises licence. Their concerns included:

• Parking: Residents raised concerns about limited parking at the site and the potential for customers to park on pavements, grass verges, and in the private car park of the Green Haven Court retirement home opposite the KFC.
• Noise: Residents expressed fears that allowing the premises to operate until midnight would cause excessive noise from customers and cars, disturbing residents, particularly those at Green Haven Court.
• Litter: Residents complained about litter previously left by KFC customers, which they said was a health hazard and attracted vermin.
• Anti-social behaviour: Some residents raised concerns about potential anti-social behaviour, drug use, and vandalism associated with the premises.
• Proximity to other establishments: It was suggested that the close proximity of The Spotted Cow pub and The Cowplain Social Club could encourage late-night gatherings outside the KFC after the other establishments had closed.

One resident wrote:

Over many years the KFC premises has been associated with issues that negatively affect the local residents.

Anti-social behaviour by groups congregating in and around the premises particularly in the evenings.

Drug use by individuals in the secluded garage area at the back of 147 and 147a London Road. Also used to urinate and defecate as there are no toilet facilities in the immediate area.

Damage to private vehicles parked nearby, causing stress and financial burden to local residents.

Vandalism to private property including fences, walls and gardens adjacent to the KFC premises.

Damage to no parking posts, bins and signs in the immediate area.

Obstruction of access to residential properties, with parked or waiting vehicles blocking driveways and access roads.

Aggressive behaviour shown towards homeowners attempting to enter or leave their properties by those blocking the access roads.

Prevention of emergency vehicle access due to inconsiderate parking which could pose a risk to life.

Risks to children using the private drive ways to play or cycle caused by non-resident vehicle trespassing due to inadequate parking facilities for the KFC site.

Unacceptable noise levels from air intake units and extractor fans. Constant conflict to get these turned off before the premises is closed.

Constant parking by Uber Eats vehicles and collection vehicles leaving their vehicles unattended on double yellow lines, causing buildup of traffic and emergency vehicles unable to pass.

Constant parking by Uber Eats vehicles and collection vehicles on main footpath where general public, wheelchairs and disabled mobility scooters are unable to pass.

These problems have caused considerable nuisance, compromised the safety of residents and have occurred without alcohol being served, sold or consumed on the site. Allowing licensed activities would more than likely exacerbate these problems.

In addition, the close proximity of The Spotted Cow and The Cowplain Social Club would encourage, and have done in the past, late night after hours drinking groups, gathering outside the premises and surrounding area after the 11pm closure of said pub and club. Which leads to unsociable behaviour, conflict, aggression, between group arguments and fights putting a burden on our already stretched Police and emergency services well into the early hours of the morning, in and beyond the vicinity of KFC 149 London Road.

We believe granting this license would directly undermine the licensing objectives and would not be in the best interest of the local community which consists of many elderly residents too afraid to come out of their houses.

Conditions agreed with Police Licensing

The report pack included conditions agreed between the applicant and Police Licensing. These included:

• Training: All staff involved shall receive licensing training that includes appropriate precautions to identify the signs and symptoms of drunkenness, the refusal of service due to intoxication through alcohol or drugs.
• Refusal/incident log: An incident book or computer log for refusals of service and incidents shall be maintained by staff at the premises.
• CCTV: CCTV will be installed at the premises, operating at all times whilst the premises are open for licensable activity.
• Staff numbers: The premises licence holder shall ensure that a minimum of 2 staff members are on duty at all times.
• Notices: Prominent, clear and legible notices shall be displayed at all public exits from the premises requesting customers respect the needs of local residents and leave the premises and area quietly.

Options available to the Licensing Sub-Committee

The report pack outlined the options available to the Licensing Sub-Committee, which included:

• Granting the licence subject to conditions.
• Excluding licensable activities from the scope of the licence.
• Refusing to specify a person in the licence as the premises supervisor.
• Rejecting the application.

The report pack stated that in making its determination, the Licensing Sub-Committee must, having regard to the application and relevant representations, take such steps as it considers appropriate for the promotion of the licensing objectives.