Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest made in accordance with the Code of Conduct.

The Licensing and Appeals Committee, sitting as a Panel, is asked to consider an application for a Premises Licence under section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003 for the premises called Matts BBQ 2021, Wings of the Morning field, Wrotham Hill, Wrotham, Kent.

The Panel gave careful consideration to an application for a premises licence in respect of Matts BBQ 2021, Wings of the Morning Field, Wrotham Hill, Wrotham which had been made under section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003.

The Panel gave careful consideration to the written report of the Director of Central Services and Deputy Chief Executive, together with the application and written representations received during the statutory consultation period.  It also considered the oral representations made to it by the applicant’s representative and other interested parties during the Hearing.

At the outset of the hearing Stansted and Wrotham Parish Council made a submission that BJP Productions had failed to follow the correct procedures in advertising the event and that it would be unlawful for the Panel to continue with the hearing. The Panel considered the submissions from Stansted and Wrotham Parish Council and BJP Productions and, having carefully considered the case law that they were referred to, particularly the case of ex p Jeyeanthan, decided that it was lawful to proceed with the hearing.

At the outset of their application BJP Productions made it clear that they were now just applying for a premises licence on Saturday 14 August 2021 and a reduced attendance of 7,000 people.

In addition to the representations from Stansted and Wrotham Parish Council, there were representations from the Police, the responsible authority for Environmental Health and 32 other persons (one of which was in support of the application). There was also an email from Kent County Council in their capacity as a Highways Authority.

Both the Police and Environmental Health indicated that their objections would have been much reduced if they had known that BJP Productions were just going to pursue their application for 14 August 2021.

The Police said that their view of the application had substantially changed now the application was for one day and for over 18’s only. They still had concerns relating to crime and disorder following a previous event with which BJP Productions were associated where there had been open drug use, a hostile crowd and abandoned vehicles. The Police had concerns regarding the number of security staff to be employed and the use of sniffer dogs.

Environmental Health’s main concern was over noise and, bearing in mind that the event was for one day only and was due to finish at 22:00, felt that their concerns could be resolved by the imposition of appropriate conditions. This view was supported by Mr Gosling, a sound consultant, advising Stansted and Wrotham Parish Council.

The email from Kent County Council dealt with two issues:- (1) traffic issues regarding the golf event at the London Club due to be held on 14 August, the event at Brands Hatch on 15 August and Matts BBQ on 14 August and (2) the closure of public rights of way over the Wings of Morning Field.

As far as the traffic was concerned Kent County Council stated that their requests had been agreed and they  ...  view the full minutes text for item LAP 21/14

The Chairman to move that the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting during consideration of any items the publication of which would disclose exempt information

There were no items considered in private.