Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies for absence.

To determine any other items of business which the Chair decides should be considered as a matter of urgency pursuant to Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

There was no urgent business.

Please indicate if there are any interests which should be declared.  A declaration of an interest should indicate the nature of the interest (if not already declared on the Register of Interests) and the agenda item to which it relates.  If a disclosable pecuniary interest is declared, the member should withdraw from the room whilst the matter is discussed.

There was no declarations of interest.

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The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and declared that the Sub-Committee was sitting to consider an application for a premises licence in respect of Croft Country Club, Green End, Lott’s Bridge, Three Holes and advised that the meeting was being broadcast on You Tube.

The Sub-Committee, Borough Council officers and the Legal Advisor were introduced and explained their roles.

All parties were introduced and confirmed that fifteen minutes was sufficient to present their case.

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At the request of the Chair, the Legal Advisor outlined the procedure which would be followed at the Hearing.

She made reference to the additional correspondence which had been circulated in advance of the Hearing and the representation which should not be considered as it was received out of time.

She also made the Sub-Committee aware that the applicant had indicated that he would like to circulate some additional correspondence to the Sub-Committee which he would refer to whilst presenting his case which related to a leaflet which had been circulated to nearby residents and decibel readings from previous events.  All parties present at the hearing agreed that the correspondence could be considered and did not require an adjournment as the applicant had explained that he would explain the additional correspondence whilst presenting his case.

Those present were informed that the decision would not be read out at the Hearing today, but would follow in writing within five working days.

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At the request of the Chair, the Licensing Officer presented her repot to the Sub-Committee as included in the Agenda.

Questions to the Licensing Officer were invited from all parties and the Licensing Officer provided detail of why the application had only now come before the Sub-Committee.  She explained that the site bordered Fenland and the Borough Council thought that the site had been licensed by Fenland, however the licensed area was within the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk.

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At the request of the Chair, the Applicant’s representative, Mr Jackson, presented the case on behalf of the applicant.  He provided detail of the additional correspondence which had been circulated to the Panel and related to a leaflet which had been circulated to nearby residents in opposition to the application and referred to decibel readings which had been taken during a previous event.

The applicant and applicant’s representative responded to questions from all parties and confirmed that all visits to the site had to be pre-booked and he was happy that this could be added to the licence as a condition if required.  Details of the amount of attendees at events was provided as well as information on how events were advertised.  It was also confirmed that no alcohol was sold on site, but as it was a self-catering site visitors could bring their own.

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The Interested Parties presented their case. 

Dick Johnson commented that he had not heard any disturbances from the site.  He explained that it was important to encourage visitors to the area.

Clifford White commented that he travelled from Leicestershire to attend this Hearing and support the applicant.  He visited the site regularly and commented that he frequented local businesses and restaurants, as did many of the visitors to the campsite.

Reference was also made to the charity events held on site and the impact of lockdowns.

The Interested Parties responded to questions from all parties.  It was explained that a complaint had been made about a nearby premises, but it was not certain that the premises in question was Croft Country Club.

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The Legal Advisor outlined outstanding matters and provided detail of the Legal Advice she would be providing to the Sub-Committee Members whilst they retired to make their decision.

The Chair closed the meeting and the Panel retired to consider its decision in private, accompanied by the Democratic Services Officer for administration purposes and the Legal Advisor for specific points of law and procedure.

After the Hearing the decision notice was circulated to all parties.  A copy of the decision notice is attached.