Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor S C Manion.

It was noted that, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 4, Councillor K Mills was appointed as substitute for Councillor S C Manion.

To receive any declarations of interest from Members in respect of business to be transacted on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest made by Members.

The Sub-Committee is requested to determine the application.

The following papers are attached.

(i)         Licensing Manager's report.

(ii)        Appendix A – Application and plan

(iii)       Appendix B – Map of the area

(iv)       Appendix C – Copies of representations

The procedure to be followed by the Sub-Committee is attached to this agenda.

The Sub-Committee considered an application for the grant of a premises licence at Kingsdown Campsite, The Avenue, Kingsdown as follows:

Supply of Alcohol (for consumption ON and OFF the premises

On the basis of the representations of the applicant and other parties, the Sub-Committee found the following facts to be established:

(i)              The application was for the supply of alcohol (for consumption on and off the premises) every day from 09.00 hrs – 23.00 hrs at Kingsdown Campsite. The alcohol would be available for sale in the campsite shop and from a mobile bar unit situated on the camping field (both shown on the plan included with the application).

(ii)             Mr Oliver had operated the campsite for the last 15 years and described the site as a family establishment. There were enforcements in place to maintain the reputation of the campsite, including wardens patrolling the site. Guests had to agree to the terms of the site on arrival and anyone found breaching the terms would be banned. There was no music on site after 10pm.

(iii)            Mr Oliver restricted residents and guests of residents on site to 400-500 people although the site was capable of approximately 1000 people, being 40 acres in size. Day visitors were permitted if they were visiting friends and family of existing guests, and were pre-registered providing their names, addresses and car registrations. These additional guests were included in the 500 persons restricted capacity. As the site was usually fully booked during the summer months, day visitors were normally not permitted.

(iv)           The shop was located within the reception area and both opened at 09:00 hrs. On Friday, and sometimes Thursday and Saturday, it stayed open late, being the days when guests usually arrived.

(v)             The application sought a licence to sell alcohol until 23.00 hrs although the mobile bar would likely close most days at 21.00 hrs.  It was intended that the bar would open at approximately 16:00 hrs on a Friday and on a Saturday around noon. The mobile bar would be located approximately 150 metres from the closest residential properties on both sides of the site.

(vi)           There had been seven Temporary Event Notices (TENs) for the mobile bar since 21 May 2021. There had been no complaints regarding the TENs and the bar had been open until 22.00 hrs.

(vii)          The licence until 23.00 hrs would allow some flexibility should events be held on the site. The events referred to included church gatherings, specialist groups (such as motorcycle clubs) and silent discos. There had been only two weddings at the site in the last fifteen years.

(viii)        During the consultation period three representations objecting to the application were received and no representations were made by any of the Responsible Authorities, including Kent Police. No party was present at the Hearing and the Sub-Committee considered all written representations fully, including a letter from Ann Morris to accompany her representation.

(ix)           The licensing objective cited by the objectors  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.