Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that Councillor C. A. Hotham be appointed Chairman of the Sub-Committee for the meeting.

There were no apologies for absence.  

To invite Councillors to declare any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or Other Disclosable Interests they may have in items on the agenda, and to confirm the nature of those interests.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Council’s Legal Advisor having opened the Hearing, and in doing so, apologised to all those present for the Hearing commencing late. It was explained that late information had been received and that all parties to the proceedings had agreed that the late information would be presented at the Hearing. Therefore, the Democratic Services Officer had to prepare enough photocopies for Sub-Committee Members.

The Chairman then welcomed everyone to the Hearing and asked all parties present to provide a brief introduction.

The Technical Officer (Licensing), Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS) presented his report and in doing so drew Members’ attention to the application and supporting documentation, as detailed at Appendix 1 to the report.

Two representations had been received from ‘Other Parties,’ as detailed at Appendix 2 to the report.

In response to Sub-Committee Members, the Technical Officer confirmed that the application had been advertised in accordance with the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003 and associated regulations. The applicants had advertised the application in a local newspaper and had displayed signs around various suitable locations around the premises.

In response to Mr. D. Craig, the ‘Other Parties’ legal representative, querying this; Mr. N. Pretorius, the applicant, also clarified that he had placed the correct blue signs at 50 metre intervals, wherever it was suitable to do so without destroying any hedgerow.

In response to Mr. N. Semper, the applicant’s legal representative, the Technical Officer confirmed that the representations received were in respect of public nuisance.

Mr. D. Craig further added that his clients were also concerned about public safety.

At the invitation of the Chairman, the applicant’s legal representative, Mr. N. Semper, Director, The Licensing Guys Ltd, addressed Sub-Committee Members.

Mr. Semper informed Members that Harbours Hill Vineyard was an eight hectare site situated adjacent to Moorgate Road, Hanbury. The site consisted of a one hectare vineyard and two brick built farm buildings. There were two tracks to the site, one west of Hanbury Road and one south of Moorgate Road; as per the Ordnance Survey map provided. There was access via both gates, one into the site and one out of the site.

His client has purchased the site in 2017 and the vineyard was introduced in 2018/2020, in 2024 the wine would be ready to sell. There would be no commercial wine sold, it would be sold on-site or via on-line purchases.

There was plenty of parking with 10/12 people visiting per day and up to 20 people for weekly wine tasting sessions. The premises was therefore low risk with a low number of clientele visiting the premises. The hours being sought for the sale of alcohol (sales at the premises) was not unreasonable.

Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS) had been engaged with by the applicants, who had used their pre-application service. The licensing objectives were not being undermined. The schedule, as detailed on the application form was capable of meeting the licensing objectives.

Evidence was required as to how the applicants would undermine the licensing objectives and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4/23