Agenda and draft minutes

To appoint a Chairman from the Panel.

Councillor Collins had been appointed Chairman for this hearing.

To declare disclosable pecuniary, and any other, interests*.

There were no declarations of interest and no objection to the Members on the Panel from the Applicant or his Legal representative.  

Members to consider and determine an application for a new premises licence at Asda Filling Station on Reading Road South, Fleet in accordance with the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the hearing and all those present introduced themselves.

The Officer from Shared Legal Services asked the Licensing Officer if the appropriate Notice(s) had been erected.

The Licensing Officer confirmed that the appropriate Notice(s) had been and were still displayed at the premises, in accordance with the regulations.

The Licensing Officer summarised the application contained in her report. She highlighted that the premises had been granted a licence to sell alcohol previously in 2005 and had surrendered this licence in January 2021.

This new application had been received in September this year and proposed the sale of alcohol by retail for consumption off the premises and late-night refreshment.

The Licensing Officer summarised that three representations from members of the public had been received during the 28-day consultation period objecting to the application. These related to concerns regarding public nuisance.

A fourth representation was received objecting to the application from Hart’s Environmental Health Officer, acting in their capacity as a Responsible Authority. Potential noise nuisance from customers and vehicles, and possible crime and disorder by late night revellers were the reasons for this objection.

The Licensing Officer reported that since the agenda was published (on 14 November 2023), mediation had occurred between the Agent (on behalf of the Applicant) and the Environmental Health Officer. Three conditions had been agreed by both parties and these were:

·       A sign to be placed prominently at the premises asking customers to respect local residents and leave the area quietly.

·       That staff shall monitor levels of noise in the immediate external area of the site and where necessary shall advise customers of the need to respect nearby residents.

·       That any customers continuing to cause any disturbance or disorder shall be asked to leave the premises.

After further mediation between the Agent and the Environmental Health Officer, the Applicant amended their application to propose the sale of alcohol (for consumption off the premises only) from Everyday 24 hours to 06:00 to 24:00. A fourth condition was also agreed:

·       An incident log shall be operated and maintained and shall be produced to a relevant officer of the Police or other relevant officers of a responsible authority upon reasonable request.  

The Licensing Officer highlighted that subject to the four conditions and the restriction for alcohol sales from 06:00 to 24:00, the Environmental Health team had withdrawn their objection.

The Licensing Officer conveyed that after mediation between the members of the public and the Agent, one had also withdrawn their representation, but two objections still stood. It was highlighted that the Police had made no objection to the application.

The Licensing Officer also highlighted an updated floor plan of the premises that included the counter where alcohol would be sold if permitted. This plan and the details on the updated conditions were published as part of an Addendum on 8 December 2023.    

A Member asked the Licensing Officer to confirm which representations had been withdrawn.

The Agent wanted noted that the previous licence was surrendered by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.