Doncaster Metripolitan Council Licensing Sub-Committee Meeting

There were no declarations reported at the meeting.

The Sub-Committee considered an application for a new premises licence in respect of Town Field, Thorne Road, Doncaster DN1 2JS.

The Sub-Committee Members, the Applicant, and the persons making representations had received a copy of the agenda prior to the meeting.  Copies of the representations were appended to the report at Appendix E.

At the commencement of the hearing, the Chair welcomed all parties to the meeting, made introductions and outlined the procedure to be followed.

The Senior Licensing Practitioner, Hayley Oxley introduced the report and outlined the key points in relation to the application. 

Mr Nick Stopforth, Head of Service Cultural and Commercial, who was representing for the Applicant, City of Doncaster Council (CDC) and Anita Johnson, Events Co-ordinator, CDC attended the meeting and made representations and answered questions.

Mr Christopher Hobbs, Mr Tony Wrigglesworth, Ms Jackie Gladden and Mr James Short, who had all made written representations in respect of the application attended the meeting.  All spoke in objection to the application outlined their concerns and answered questions.

All parties were then asked to leave the meeting, whilst the Sub-Committee deliberated on the application and reached a decision.

All parties were invited back into the meeting and informed of the Sub-Committee’s decision.

RESOLVED that having considered the application for a new premises licence in respect of Town Field, Thorne Road, Doncaster DN1 2JS and taken into account the representations made and the evidence presented today, the steps that are appropriate to promote the Licensing Objectives, the Home Office Guidance and our Statement of Licensing Policy, the Licensing Sub-Committee have decided to grant the licence in the terms set out in the conditions at pages 12 - 14 of the agenda pack, together with the additional conditions below:-

1.         A contact number should be made available to residents for the        duration of the event, the contact number should be dedicated to        these events with telephone operative(s) available.

2.         No more than 4 events per year with an attendance of over 500                    people no more than 4 events per year with less than 500                                     people, 8 events in total.

3.         Develop a sound and frequency map and identify negative                            impact on receptors and develop a programme of mitigation.

4.         The event organisers for larger events (over 500 people in                 attendance) should be responsible for additional parking                                enforcement.

The Sub-Committee heard from the Applicant that their aim was to regulate activities taking place on the Town Field and bringing this into line with the other parks within the city.  The Applicant referred to a survey carried out in 2022 where the majority of those surveyed supported community activities on Town Field. It was emphasised that there would be more regulation of events if conditions and a legal framework was in place. The Applicant stated that Event Safety Advisory Group (ESAG) will receive information in advance, they will receive plans from event organisers, Representatives on ESAG include emergency planning, Environmental Health and blue light organisations.

            The objectors, specifically, Mr Hobbs, Mr Short, Mr Wigglesworth and         Ms Gladden, all made representations expressing their concerns          around the event, they mentioned that events had been held previously   on Town Field, and other central areas, such as Elmfield Park, where             noise had been excessive, and nuisance parking prevalent.  Mr Short         pointed out that people parked outside of his property in a state of        undress and were abusive.  All were concerned about an escalation of             events.  There was also disappointment about the level of consultation with residents, none had been consulted effectively in relation to the            application, something the Applicant stated ought to be improved and       in future there should be meaningful consultation.

            The sub-committee members were sympathetic to residents, but      considered the conditions attached to the licence would promote the   licencing objectives.