Agenda item

The licensing officer reported that additional noise conditions and menu details had been circulated.  These would be interleaved with the agenda papers.

A local resident reported that she lived opposite the pub and management did not adhere to their licence.  This was a busy pub and staff could not monitor outside area.  She asked that, if the application was granted, security be employed to monitor the outside noise.  The manager was responsible but there would be concerns if he left. She asked that the first floor be considered as a conference room rather than dining room.

The applicant stated that the application was to vary the plan of the premises and was not dealing with the outside area.  The conditions had been agreed.  There had been no responsible authority representations.  This was a highly regarded premises which provided a good service which had been taken over by new management in 2014.  The premises was 65% food led. 

In response to questions about concerns relating to noise at the front of the premises, it was noted that customers were asked to come in at 10pm and this was enforced.  Although the dining room was for 24 covers, the kitchen was already at full capacity and a higher number in the dining room would reduce the number of covers downstairs.  This was not a party room but a private dining area.  There had been two licensing visits in July and there had been no concerns raised regarding the outside area. There was a new taxi policy and an effort had been made to have more visible staff outside for dispersal.  The applicant stated that the outside area was not related to the application for the dining room. There was noise but this was not considered a nuisance and was monitored by staff. A meeting had been held with residents and four residents withdrew their representations following this meeting. It was noted that the third noise condition circulated separately was similar to the second condition on page 83 and would be deleted.  The configuration of the upstairs dining room would not allow small table dining.

In summary the resident raised concerns that her complaints had not been passed onto management. The applicant said that these would not be missed in the future.

The applicant reported that risks were limited and there would not be 24 customers every night of the week.  The room was to offer an enhanced dining experience and the applicant would work closely with residents.

RESOLVED

a)     That the application for a premises licence variation in respect of The Albion PH, 10 Thornhill Road, N1 1HW be granted to vary the design and layout of the premises in accordance with the submitted plan, ref G15-5302/01A.

b)     Conditions as outlined in appendix 5 as detailed on page 83 of the agenda and the following noise conditions shall be applied to the licence.

• Noise or vibration must not emanate from the premises so as to cause a nuisance to nearby properties.
• Following written notification from the Licensing authority that a substantiated noise complaint has been received, the premises shall not be used for any regulated entertainment until the Council’s pollution team is satisfied that measures have been taken to prevent further noise nuisance to residents and the licensee has been notified in writing that the measures are accepted by the Council’s Pollution team.

REASONS FOR DECISION

This was an application for varying the design and layout of the premises by adding a second floor eating area with facilities for 24 patrons to have a sit down meal.

No representations were received from the Responsible Authorities.

One resident made verbal representations at the hearing. The main concern of residents was the possibility of additional noise nuisance that could be suffered by neighbouring properties as a result of the proposal.

The applicant agreed to additional conditions to mitigate any additional noise factors and the Sub-Committee was satisfied that the imposition of the additional conditions on the licence was an appropriate and proportionate response to the concerns of the residents.

The application was accordingly granted with the additional conditions.