Agenda item

(Appendix E to the report is not for publication as it contains personal information protected by Data Protection Legislation, not required to be published in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003).

The Sub-Committee considered an application for a new Premises Licence in respect of Askern Music Festival, Thornhurst Manor, Holme Lane, Holme, Doncaster, DN5 0LR.

The Sub-Committee Members, the Applicants and their representative and the persons making representations had received the agenda prior to the meeting. Copies of the representations were attached to the report at Appendix E.

At the commencement of the hearing, the Chair welcomed all parties to the meeting, made introductions and outlined the procedure to be followed. 

The Senior Licensing Practitioner introduced the report and outlined the salient points in relation to the application.

The applicants, represented by Mr Andrew O Grady, Director of Askern Music Festival, and their representative, Mr Phillip Williams, were in attendance at the meeting and made representations and answered questions.

With the agreement of all parties, additional information in the form of a site map was circulated to the Sub Committee at the meeting.

Mr S Allen, Mrs V Carter and Mr P Edwards, who had all made written representations in respect of the application, and were speaking on behalf of local residents objecting to the application outlined their concerns and objections, and answered questions.

All parties were then asked to leave the meeting whilst the Sub-Committee deliberated on the application and reached a decision.

All parties were then invited back in to the meeting to be informed of the Sub-Committee’s decision.

RESOLVED that having considered the application for a Premises Licence for Askern Music Festival, Thornhurst Manor, Holme Lane, Holme, Doncaster, DN5 0LR and taken into account the representations made and the evidence presented today, the steps that are appropriate to promote the Licensing Objectives, the Home Office Guidance and our Statement of Licensing Policy the Licensing Sub Committee have decided grant the licence in the terms set out in Appendices B-D.

The premises licence will also be subject to the following conditions:-

1)     All entry to Askern Music Festival to be by ticket only, even in respect of those who are under 5 years old.

The committee was concerned that unknown numbers of children would be attending the event without any record and therefore this condition is for the purposes of the protection of children from harm and public safety.

2)    The premises shall operate a CCTV system. CCTV cameras should be located to cover all bar areas and public entrances and exits.  The CCTV system must record clear images permitting the identification of individuals and all recorded images should be retained for a minimum of 28 days.  The CCTV system must operate at all times while the premises are open for licensable activities.

Given the possible number of people on site, the committee wanted to ensure that CCTV was in place to promote the licensing objective of preventing crime and disorder, the committee felt that CCTV would act as a deterrent and assist in detecting any crime and/or disorder

3)    Clear and legible notices shall be displayed at all entrances and exits which give customers details of parking facilities.  The notices must advice customers not to obstruct residents’ driveways and not to block the highway.

The committee wanted to ensure that customers were advised of appropriate parking facilities to minimise any disruption to the public and prevent public nuisance.

The committee noted the concerns raised by those making representations, this related to the safety issues about the busy A19 road which is in very close proximity to the premises. The committee felt the risk assessment process and the conditions put forward by South Yorkshire Police would alleviate those concerns. Those making representations at the Committee pointed out that there had been no consultation with local residents, rather the applicant had contacted those who made representations in respect of the application.  Mr William, on behalf of the applicant, acknowledged that consultation would have been better before the event, but this was put down to naivety.  The applicant advised that notification had only been given by the cricket club in January 2023 that the cricket club land could not be used for the Askern Musical Festival.

Concerns were also raised around the admission numbers, those making representations pointed out that there was no accounting in place for children under 5 years old and that numbers         could exceed 4,999 with the addition of those children who do not have tickets, the applicant explained that those entering would be counted on site so that the numbers were not exceeded, but the point was made that this could include people with tickets being turned away, the applicant sought to address this by limiting tickets to 4,000 but the Committee did not feel that this would remedy the situation.  The Committee was satisfied that with the proposed conditions and those added by the     committee the licensing objectives would be promoted.