Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence from Members.

There were no substitute members appointed.

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.

Applicant:   Solton Ltd

The following papers are attached.

(i)         Licensing Manager's report and map of area.

(ii)        Appendix A – Application for a Premises Licence

(iii)       Appendix B – Map of Area

(iv)       Appendix C – Amendments to the operating schedule requested by the applicant following discussions with Kent Police

(v)        Appendix D – Amendments to the operating schedule requested by the applicant following discussions with Environmental Health

(vi)       Appendix E – Representations received from Other Parties

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 for Solton Manor, East Langdon, Dover for the following

Films (Indoors)

Live and Recorded Music (Indoors)

Supply of Alcohol (for consumption ON the premises)

On the basis of the representations of the applicant’s, the applicant’s representatives, the Responsible Authority and Other Persons, the Sub-Committee found the following facts to be established:

(i)                       Solton Manor was a Grade II listed manor house set within 9 acres of private grounds with a converted barn and outbuildings.

(ii)                     The Venue Manager advised that the Manor House provided self-catering accommodation for wedding guests who had exclusive use of the premises the day before a wedding event. Guests had use of the whole of the ground floor during their event.

(iii)                    The Tudor Hall, which was within the Manor House, was a dining area with capacity for a music and bar area. The Manor House also included the Bell Tower Barn (a separate room within the house).

(iv)                    The Barn, which was separate to the Manor House, could accommodate 150 guests with 70 being seated.

(v)                     The application sought a premises licence for the ground floor of the Manor House and the Barn only with drinks being permitted to be consumed outside also.

(vi)                    The accommodation at the premises comprised of 10 bedrooms in the Manor House accommodating 22 guests, and two beds in the cottage accommodating four guests.

(vii)                  There was a planning permission that limited the number of weddings/events at the premises and was limited to 50 events per year with a maximum of 150 guests for each event.

(viii)                 The premises had been holding weddings using Temporary Event Notices (TENs) and ten events had been held throughout June, July and August with five more scheduled for September and October.

(ix)                    The operating schedule had been amended twice by the applicant during the consultation process having had discussions with Kent Police and Environmental Health and these amendments were shown in appendices C and D of the report.

(x)                     During the consultation process three representations from Other Persons and one representation from the Responsible Authority, Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS), were received objecting to the application. The Licensing Objectives cited to be undermined were Public Safety and Prevention of Public Nuisance.

(xi)                    KFRS stated that the applicant had failed to inform the local authority Building Control department of the material changes to the premises (the Manor House) following the grant of planning permission for the change of use to a wedding venue. KFRS were statutory consultees as part of the application process for Building Regulations.

(xii)                  Following a risk assessment of the premises in March 2019 KFRS advised that the significant findings had not been actioned and following a regulatory inspection carried out on 10 August 2021, KFRS would be issuing two statutory notices  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.