Agenda item

To consider the report of the Head of Licensing and Registration on an application for a premises licence for Cocktail Bar, 30 Call Lane, Leeds LS1. The premise lies within an area covered by a Cumulative Impact Area

(Report attached)

The Sub Committee, having regard to the Licensing Act 2003, the Section 182 Guidance and the Authority’s own Statement of Licensing Policy considered an application for the grant of a premises licence for Cocktail Bar, 39 Call Lane, Leeds, LS1 7BT.

Representations had been received by West Yorkshire Police (WYP) objecting to the application in light of the premises being within an area affected by the Cumulative Impact Policy.

Representations were received by Leeds City Council Environmental Protection Team.

Representations were also received by Leeds City Council Health and Safety Service however the measures proposed had been agreed by the applicant and the representation subsequently withdrawn on the understanding that those measures would appear on the premises licence as conditions should the application be granted.

The hearing was attended by the following:

-  Alexander William Neil, Proposed Licence Holder;

-  Christopher Neil, Supporter;

-  Jonathan Neil, Supporter;

-  PC Kath Arkle, West Yorkshire Police

Christopher Neil addressed the Sub Committee and made the following points:

• the Premises would be a small and exclusive venue which would be unlikely to add to the problems in Call Lane;
• the applicant and his supported have many years experience at running licensed venues and have had made one call to the police in 21 years;
• the change of use has already been granted by Leeds City Council’s planning department;
• registered SIA doormen would be employed at the premises;
• a willingness to work with West Yorkshire Police.

PC Cath Arkle, West Yorkshire Police, addressed the Sub Committee and made the following points:

• confirmation that West Yorkshire Police had submitted a representation as the premises were located within an area covered by the Cumulative Impact Policy; and
• the large number of bars and clubs already present in the Call Lane area already causes serious crime and disorder issues which would be added to if this licence application were to be granted.

Brian Kenny, Leeds City Council, Environmental Protection Service, addressed the Sub – Committee and made the following points:

• confirmation that Leeds City Council, Environmental Protection Service had submitted a representation as the premises were located within an area covered by the Cumulative Impact Policy; and
• complaints are regularly received about bars and clubs on Call Lane due to he close proximity of residential property.

In summing up the applicant made the following key points:

• the numbers likely to use the proposed premises would not have a significant impact on the Call Lane area; and
• the intention to have live bands only on rare occasions.

The Sub Committee then carefully considered all the written and verbal submissions and made the following decision:

RESOLVED – To refuse the application for the following reasons:

The Committee considered the Leeds City Council Cumulative Impact Policy and heard the full objections from West Yorkshire Police and the Environmental Protection Service and the particular problems in this area which has now reached saturation point.  The Licensing Subcommittee is mindful that this is a new additional premises in the area that will impact on the cumulative impact in the area.  The decision of the Licensing Subcommittee is that the applicants have not demonstrated that their application would not add to the cumulative impact of such premises in the area and therefore refused the application.